It’s tough to let go. On the rock it’s that dreadful feeling of losing control, of knowing you’re about to fall. Even when it’s safe to let go, the simple act of giving in to gravity, of releasing all ...

Once above the halfway point, about 1,000 feet up the wall, the angle steepens to just beyond vertical. The comfy ledges disappear and with every upward move the void below becomes heavier and harder ...

“Greetings from Briançon,” read the WhatsApp message, along with a photo of my friend Magda holding a coffee mug and smiling widely. Two other photos showcased a crystal clear mountain sunrise where ...

If a single image could capture what it feels like to live in Boulder, it would have to include the Flatirons. Unlike our ...

At the end of July, Phil Gruber and I had planned to climb big rock walls in the Dolomites of Italy. We wouldn’t have much time to wait out poor weather, so when we checked the mountain forecast (for ...

Matt and I walk at a casual pace into the Flatirons, packs full of gear. The pine-scented air is warm and dusty as we cross the Mesa Trail and follow the meandering path into Fern Canyon. For now, the ...

If you watched any Olympic event this summer, you likely saw top athletes make whatever they were doing “look easy.” You know what I mean; seasoned athletes can make even the most torturous contests, ...

This time of year I’m reminded of these words from Dave MacLeod, one of the best all-around climbers in the world, as I take stock of 2023 and look ahead to 2024. As always, climbing goals and ...