Why Did USA Climbing Just Ban Trans Women From All Events?
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has issued clear orders. But evidence that trans female climbers have a competitive advantage is lacking.
Competition Climbing
Competition Climbing
After a Horrific Belaying Accident, Sara Al Qunaibet Moves Through Recovery
Last year, the Saudi national champion survived every climber's worst nightmare. But what happened to her afterward?
Alannah Yip Didn’t Have a Picture-Perfect Career Ending. And That’s OK.
The 30-year-old Olympian talks about her struggles with hair loss, mental training, the joy of competing, and why she’s (finally) focussing on rock climbing full-time.
After Giving Up His 2020 Olympic Dreams for Family, Campbell Harrison Is Going to Paris
A family illness seemed to dash Harrison’s Olympic prospects. But in November 2023, he fought for a second chance.
Two Retired Comp Climbers Pull Off a Rare Free Ascent of ‘the Nose’
Waterhouse had just a little crack experience, Ridal even less. But as it turns out, comp boulders have a lot in common with El Cap granite
A Consolidated History of Women’s Climbing Achievements
From the first women recorded in mountaineering in the late eighteenth century, to the first 5.15 female ascent by Margo Hayes in 2017.
How Much (and When) Should Kids be Training?
Climbing has significant social, physiological, and developmental benefits for children and young adults. But there are also things they should avoid. And things you should avoid as a parent or a coach.
Five Reasons Why Climbing On Comp Routes Can Make You Better
Forced to try the routes after the gym hosted a bouldering competition and left them up for weeks, I found one session reignited my stoke.
Americans Make History: Two Gold Medals at European Ice Climbing Cups
Tyler Kempney swept the field with back-to-back wins in this year’s UIAA Euro Cup series.
Purists in the 1980s Thought Comps Wouldn’t Last. Snowbird Changed Everything.
Check out Alison Osius's author page.
Crimps and Cringes Abound in This Climbing Anime… But It’s Not All Bad
Sexualized characters, drama, sparkles, jerks who take the sport way too seriously... “Iwa Kakeru!” is a sadistic blend of everything we love to hate about anime and climbing.
Stop The Sexualization Of Female Climbers
During a Bouldering World Cup, inappropriate slow-motion footage of a female athlete was aired. What does it mean for climbing when the IFSC and the climbing community effectively condones the objectification of female athletes?
Video Exclusive: How Olympian Kyra Condie Deals With High Level Pressure
Check out The Editors's author page.
Sponsored Content
La Sportiva will take you from the Competition to the Crag
These shoes are propelling elite athletes to the podium, but they could also propel you to a personal best.
Brooke Raboutou: An Eye on Olympic Gold
Check out John Burgman's author page.
Purist Climbers From 1980s Thought Comps Wouldn’t Last. This Event Changed Everything
When the first international competition came to these shores, it was a big unknown, with many opposed. It could have been a bust. One guy saved it.
The Climbing Q&A: Brooke Raboutou
How this unassuming college student—and pedigreed super-climber—became the first American climber to qualify for the Olympics
Ask an Editor: What Do You Think About the Olympics?
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
Helping Hands: How Jesse Grupper Went From Sending Hard to Helping Others
Check out Ari Schneider's author page.
The Climbing Q&A: Kyra Condie
Kyra Condie, one of America’s strongest female climbers and a promising Olympic hopeful, trains on a small, greasy wall you might expect to see in a garage. This self-coached climber is making up for a lack of fancy facilities with raw strength and grit.
Meet the 2019 USA Climbing Overall National Team
An in-depth look at the eight competitors who will represent the United States in the upcoming season of international events.
USA Climbing 2019 Sport and Speed Nationals: Highs and Lows
Check out John Burgman's author page.
New Climbing Format Proposed for 2024 Paris Olympics Separates Speed Climbing
Check out Bennett Slavsky's author page.
How Climbers Will Be Chosen for the 2020 Olympics
An in-depth look at the busy schedule of climbing events that will determine the roster for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Hannah Again: The Story of World Champion Paraclimber Hannah Baldwin
Check out The Editors's author page.
USA Climbing 2019 Bouldering Nationals: Highs and Lows
Check out John Burgman's author page.
The Climbing Q&A: Alex Johnson
Former comp phenom Alex Johnson talks about her surprise homecoming to the Midwest, what it’s like to coach youth climbers, and how these kids inspired her to embrace who she is.
USA Climbing and ESPN Announce New Multi-Year Agreement to Televise and Livestream Events
Check out USA Climbing's author page.
Opinion: It’s Time to Embrace Comp Climbing and Leave the 1960s Behind
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
US Competition Climbing’s Funding Problem
For U.S. competition climbers, getting into the Olympics is far from the biggest hurdle.
Photo Gallery: The Films of Reel Rock 13
Check out The Editors's author page.
Trailer: Reel Rock 13
Check out The Editors's author page.
Recap and Photo Gallery: IFSC Vail World Cup 2018—Bouldering
Check out John Burgman's author page.
Livestreams: IFSC World Cup 2018 Vail—Bouldering
Check out The Editors's author page.
Livestreams: IFSC World Cup 2018 Hachioji—Bouldering
Check out The Editors's author page.
How Competition Climbing is Pushing Standards for Outdoor Climbing
"But it's not real climbing..."
Recap and Photo Gallery: IFSC Tai’an World Cup 2018—Bouldering and Speed
Check out John Burgman's author page.
Livestreams: IFSC World Cup 2018 Tai'an—Bouldering and Speed
Check out The Editors's author page.
Recap and Photo Gallery: IFSC Chongqing World Cup 2018—Bouldering and Speed
Check out John Burgman's author page.
Nintendo-Style 2018 IFSC Bouldering World Cup Recap
Check out The Editors's author page.
Livestreams: IFSC World Cup 2018 Chongqing—Bouldering and Speed
Check out The Editors's author page.
Generation 5.16: Ashima Shiraishi
Age 17 / Queens, New York
Generation 5.16: Kai Lightner
Age 18 / Fayetteville, North Carolina
Recap, Highlights, and Photo Gallery: IFSC Moscow World Cup 2018—Bouldering and Speed
Check out Eddie Fowke's author page.
Generation 5.16: Margo Hayes
Age 19 / Boulder, Colorado
Slow Motion Highlights: 2018 Meiringen Bouldering World Cup
Check out The Editors's author page.
Livestreams: IFSC World Cup 2018 Moscow—Bouldering and Speed
Check out The Editors's author page.
Recap and Photo Gallery: IFSC 2018 Bouldering World Cup Meiringen
Check out Eddie Fowke's author page.
Livestream: IFSC Bouldering World Cup 2018 Meiringen—Finals
Check out The Editors's author page.
Generation 5.16: Shawn and Brooke Raboutou
Ages 19 & 16 / Boulder, Colorado
Generation 5.16: Drew Ruana
Age 18 / Redmond, Washington
Generation 5.16: Kara and Connor Herson
Ages 18 and 14 / Emerald Hills, California
Generation 5.16: Sean Bailey
Age 21 / Seattle, Washington
Generation 5.16: 10 Young Crushers That Could Take Rock Climbing to the Next Level
Check out The Editors's author page.
Climbers are Superheroes: Comp Climbing With Special Effects
Check out The Editors's author page.
Highs and Lows: 2018 USA Climbing Sport and Speed Nationals
Check out John Burgman's author page.
Photo Gallery and Results: USA Climbing 2018 Sport Nationals
Check out Andrea Laue's author page.
USA Climbing 2018 Sport and Speed Open National Championship Livestreams
Check out The Editors's author page.
Opinion: Bouldering Nationals Should Move to the Big City
Check out John Burgman's author page.
2019, 2020 USA Climbing Bouldering National Championships Announced for Bend, Oregon
Check out USA Climbing's author page.
Photo Gallery: USA Climbing 2018 Bouldering Nationals
Check out Andrea Laue's author page.
Highs and Lows: 2018 Bouldering Nationals
Commentary and analysis from the weekend’s Open National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah.
USA Climbing 2018 Open Bouldering National Championship Livestreams
Check out The Editors's author page.
Trailer: 2018 Open Bouldering National Championships
The 2018 USA Climbing Open Bouldering National Championships start this Friday.
Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou: The Veteran Coach Leading the New Generation of Climbers
Check out Johanna Flashman's author page.
“Skate-Style” Route-Setting: How World Cup Climbing Affects Your Local Gym
Check out Amanda Ashley's author page.
Wild And Wonderful: West Virginia's PsicoRoc Deep Water Soloing Competition
Check out The Editors's author page.
A Portrait in Speed: Iranian Speed Climber Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh
Check out Alex Lubben's author page.
Team USA Finishes Strong at IFSC Youth World Championships
Check out Caleb Sanderson's author page.
Adidas Rockstars 2017 Bouldering Comp Highlights
Check out The Editors's author page.
Christoper Deuto and the New Wave of Kid Crushers Redefining Performance Climbing
At a point where young climbers are performing at elite levels before hitting puberty, we take a look at the life of one such kid in Colorado and the trend that is reshaping the climbing landscape.
2017 Psicobloc Commentary Highlights
Check out The Editors's author page.
3-D Printing: The Future of Climbing Holds?
Check out Zoe Gates's author page.
Slow Moments: 2017 Vail Bouldering World Cup Highlights
Check out The Editors's author page.
2016 Golden Pitons: The Comeback Award
Alex Puccio, Salt Lake City, Utah
Shiraishi, Lightner Win 2017 Sport Climbing Nationals
Check out Liz Haas's author page.
Livestream: Sport and Speed Climbing 2017 Open National Championships
Check out The Editors's author page.
Bouldering Nationals 2017 Commentary Highlights
Check out The Editors's author page.
Peaches Preaches: Being the Best at Exercise
Check out James Lucas's author page.
Hueco Rock Rodeo 2017 Preview
Check out Hailey Moore's author page.