Kai Lightner

While projecting a new 5.15a, Lightner forms an unlikely connection with "cancelled" Joe Kinder—without creating a redemption narrative.

In 2021, Kai Lightner helped open a free climbing wall outside Atlanta for an underprivileged community. City officials fought to take it down.

We caught up with Lightner to learn more about ‘Death of Villains,’ his training, and—after an eight year interlude—what it took to surpass what he believed to be the peak version of himself.

We chatted with Kai Lightner about diversity in the climbing world; misconceptions about how accessible climbing is for people of color; his nonprofit Climbing For Change; and—of course—his current climbing and training goals

“If little me could see me now and look at the body, he would probably be like, ‘There's no way he’s climbing that hard.’”

Athletes need a space to train. Kimanda Jarzebiak provides that, plus, everything else.

Kai Lightner's foundation, Climbing for Change, partnered with Kevin Jorgeson and 1Climb to build a climbing wall in College Park, Georgia.

Check out The Editors's author page.

The nonprofit will help fund programs to promote diversity and inclusion in the climbing community and equal access to outdoor endeavors.

Check out USA Climbing's author page.

Age 18 / Fayetteville, North Carolina

Commentary and analysis from the weekend’s Open National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Check out The Editors's author page.

Check out Caleb Sanderson's author page.

Check out Hailey Moore's author page.

Check out Liz Haas's author page.

Check out Cedar Wright's author page.

Check out The Editors's author page.

Check out Liz Haas's author page.

Check out The Editors's author page.