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Everyone has a Why. Our motivations are as varied as our backgrounds, and these passions are what powers adventures big and small.

“Amity doesn’t seem to take rest days. ... That's probably the biggest influence on her impressive ticklist."

Wes Schweitzer, a seven-year NFL offensive guard, began rock climbing five years into his professional career. He believes it’s had a remarkable effect.

Check out Drew Copeland's author page.

“She’s my favorite international climbing partner,” says Kate Rutherford. "She can make ramen and tuna taste gourmet."

Check out Chris Kalman's author page.

With four first winter ascents of 8,000-meter peaks, Simone Moro has taken the art of climbing in harsh conditions to new heights, but controversy plagues his climbing résumé.

Mugs Stump spearheaded a fast-and-light approach to alpinism during the 1970s and 1980s when siege-style expeditions were still the norm. His style was a form of artistic expression: He sought purity through simplicity.

Check out John Burgman's author page.

Get to know the 17-year-old phenom, who exploded onto the national stage when he won the Pan-American Championship in 2020.

Hobbs Kessler wants to be the first person to run a sub 4-minute mile and climb 5.15 and V15. And he just might do it.

An elite solider and elite climber, Nims led the first winter ascent of K2 without supplemental oxygen.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

The Utah visionary opens up about his four decades on the rock, a return to his nemesis climb, the craft of photography, and the search for the next great thing.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Jimmy Webb would be the last person to tell you that he’s sent more V16s than almost any other American. Credit that humility—and the work ethic that earned him those ticks—to his Tennessee roots.

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Meet the tireless climbers establishing moderate sport routes around the country.

How this unassuming college student—and pedigreed super-climber—became the first American climber to qualify for the Olympics

Check out Ula Chrobak's author page.

The Finnish supermodel has shifted her life’s focus to high-altitude mountaineering.

A look at the climbing resume of Enormocast host Chris Kalous

How this guitar-obsessed “5.9-with-a-pack mountain guy” is working with the team at Black Diamond to drive refinement and innovation in their climbing gear

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Meet Brittany Goris, the queen of self-reinvention

Taking a break from his training dojo in Estes Park, Colorado, one of the world’s best all-arounders talks about hard climbing, the risk in alpinism, his low profile on social media, and balancing life as a father and pro climber.

Check out Ari Schneider's author page.

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.

From big wall speed records to long free climbs, Adams does it all, and he recently ticked his hardest free climb to date, the FA of the 1,300-foot Wayward Son (5.12c) on Lost Brother.

Check out Mario Esquivel's author page.

Born and raised in Yosemite Valley, Ahwahneechee Tribe member—and pro climber/snowboarder—Lonnie Kosuko Kauk is taking Valley climbing to the next level, with 5.14 cracks, 5.14+ projects, and beyond.

Check out Miranda Fengel's author page.

Check out Bennett Slavsky's author page.

Check out Kyle Stapp's author page.

Check out Maria Anderson's author page.

Check out Kat Lin's author page.

Check out Julie Ellison's author page.

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.

Check out Julie Ellison's author page.

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.

With big-mountain trips to Alaska, India, and Antarctica, Savannah Cummins is fast becoming known for her alpine and rock-climbing photography.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Meet the YOSAR beast and onetime Nose speed record holder

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

The Austrian Barbara “Babsi” Zangerl has ticked V13, 5.14d sport, 5.14 trad, the Alpine Trilogy of 5.14-, multi-pitch, high-altitude free climbs, and some of the hardest free routes on El Capitan, making her one of the best, most versatile climbers in the world.

Check out John Burgman's author page.

Check out James Lucas's author page.

With his ascent of Me I Eat Dust in February 2017, Roth joined the ranks as one of the few Americans to climb 5.15a. So why is he under the radar?

Five top climbers who came back stronger than ever

Five top climbers who came back stronger than ever

Five top climbers who came back stronger than ever

Five top climbers who came back stronger than ever

Five top climbers who came back stronger than ever

Check out Michael Levy's author page.

Check out Brad Hilbert's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Age 17 / Queens, New York

Age 18 / Fayetteville, North Carolina

Age 19 / Boulder, Colorado

Age 26 / Boulder, Colorado

Ages 19 & 16 / Boulder, Colorado

Age 18 / Redmond, Washington

Ages 18 and 14 / Emerald Hills, California

Age 21 / Seattle, Washington

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out James Lucas's author page.

Check out Johanna Flashman's author page.

6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open

6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open

6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open

Check out Jenny Abegg's author page.

6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open

Check out Jenny Abegg's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

The serious and lighthearted sides of photographer and filmmaker Tara Kerzhner

Kris “Odub” Hampton’s journey from a rough past to Red River, rap, and Power Company Climbing training stardom