Want to Get Better at Trad Climbing? Go Aid Climbing
Aid climbing is the one sure-fire way to accelerate the trad climbing learning curve
Aid Climbing
If Climbing Grades Were People…
Many climbers settle into a niche discipline in the vast expanse of the climbing universe. Some—for better or worse—get so stuck at their grade that their personalities begin to mimic the rocks and routes they choose to climb.
Weekend Whipper: Ripping Pro on the Salathé Wall
Hand-placed beaks, anyone?
43 Years After the FA, Big Wall on Kichatna Spire Receives its Second Route
Over five days, three Americans established "The Pace of Comfort" (VI 5.10 A3+ M6; 3,100 feet) on the northwest face of Kichatna Spire.
World’s First Fully-Contained Climbing Suit Deployed on Everest this Season
Ever wanted to climb an 8,000er while watching Netflix and sipping hot cocoa? The AlpineComfortMAX is bridging the gap between luxury and alpine adventure.
Everything You Need to Know for Your First Big Wall
Solid on 5.9 gear routes? Ready for the greatest adventure of your life? From hauling to lower-outs and poop tubes, our step-by-step guide will show you the way.
“You Feel Hunted in the Alpine”: An Interview With Jim Bridwell, Climbing Legend
First published in 1994, this interview with the late Jim Bridwell runs the gamut: aid routes, alpinism, fast free climbs, vivid dreams, Patagonia, sport climbing, and more.
The Nose Alone, Patagonian Walls, and Hard Trad: Profile of Miranda Oakley
Check out Chris Kalman's author page.
Climb Long Routes Faster With This Simple Aid Trick
Check out Mark Synnott's author page.
These Guys Took 45-Foot Whips On Their Way To a New El Cap Speed Record
“It’s cool doing an older route that doesn’t get climbed. That’s part of the appeal.”
April Fools: Aid Climbing Added to 2028 Olympic Games
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
Mauerhaken Streit: The Great Piton Debate of 1911
Check out Jim Erickson's author page.
Pitoncraft 101
A primer for modern-day climbers on this vanishing—but still necessary—art
The Enormoclimbs: An Abbreviated History of Chris Kalous's Climbing Career
A look at the climbing resume of Enormocast host Chris Kalous
The Allfreefi: Maximize Big-Wall Efficiency with an Adjustable Fifi Hook
Check out David Allfrey's author page.
Cragsters: Meet the Hog Hauler
Check out Adam Nawrot's author page.
Yosemite Big Wall (Obscurity) First Ascents with Kevin DeWeese
DeWeese started climbing to quiet the voices in his head soon after his sister died in a car accident. Today, 17 years later—especially as he’s mid-pitch and strung out above a string of tipped-out bird beaks on a big wall—all is silent.
Beaks for Days: New El Cap Route Ephemeron (VI 5.10 A4) Parallels the Nose
Brandon Adams and Kristoffer Wickstrom spent 10 days opening thin seams next to Yosemite's most-famous big wall route.
Royal Robbins: A Timeline and a Bibliography
Check out Zoe Gates's author page.
Royal Robbins: The Kingpin of Yosemite's Golden Age
Check out Chris Van Leuven's author page.
Climbing for Change: A Brief History of Action Climbing
Check out Cameron Fenton's author page.
The First Ascent of Greenland's Mirror Wall
Check out Climbing Staff's author page.
Rogue Climber Attempts to Aid Solo Trump Tower With Suction Cups
Check out Matt Rhodin's author page.
My First Big Wall
Lessons in Pulling on Gear in Zion
Big Wall Kit
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Climbing Tech Tips
Scoot down to the gear shop and buy four 20-foot sections of one-inch flat webbing and four 10-foot sections of 9/16 tubular webbing.