Derek Franz

Hayden Kennedy and Inge Perkins [Photo] Inge Perkins collection

Hayden Kennedy and Inge Perkins remembered

by Derek Franz

Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz recounts memories of the lives of his friends Hayden Kennedy and Inge Perkins after their recent deaths in Montana.

The north face of Mt. Hooker in Wyoming's Wind River Range. [Photo] Austin Siadak

Jesse Huey and Maury Birdwell free ‘Original Sin’ (V 5.12+, 1,800′) on Wyoming’s Mt. Hooker

by Derek Franz

On August 10-21, Jesse Huey and Maury Birdwell free climbed Original Sin (V 5.12+, 1,800′) on the north face of Mt. Hooker in Wyoming’s Wind… Read More »Jesse Huey and Maury Birdwell free ‘Original Sin’ (V 5.12+, 1,800′) on Wyoming’s Mt. Hooker

Peter Pass the Pitons Pete Zabrok took this photo of his partner Ryan Sheridan on top of Yosemite's El Capitan when the September 28 rockfall broke loose and sent debris flying all the way into the Merced River, which can be seen below. A man was injured when a rock crashed through the roof of his SUV. Zabrok, Sheridan and Patrick Mcredmond were climbing in the area of the wall where the rockfalls originated, and were just a few hundred feet above the first rockfall when it happened. [Photo] Peter Zabrok

Second, larger rockfall on El Capitan injures another person after first event resulted in one death and one injury

by Derek Franz

On September 27, one person was killed and one injured after major rockfall occurred on the eastern flank of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.… Read More »Second, larger rockfall on El Capitan injures another person after first event resulted in one death and one injury

A huge plume of granite dust billows at the base of Yosemite's El Capitan where a massive series of rockfalls occurred the afternoon of September 27. A fresh, white rock scar where the event originated can be seen to the right of the black streaks. One person was killed and another injured. [Photo] Tom Evans

One killed and one injured after a series of rockfalls on El Capitan’s Waterfall Route

by Derek Franz

One person was killed and one injured after a massive rockfall occurred on the eastern flank of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park yesterday afternoon.… Read More »One killed and one injured after a series of rockfalls on El Capitan’s Waterfall Route

On the North Pillar of Devils Thumb (Taalkhunaxhkʼu Shaa). [Photo] Cole Taylor

Cole Taylor solos the second ascent of the North Pillar on Devils Thumb

by Derek Franz

This summer Cole Taylor made the second ascent of the North Pillar on Devils Thumb (Taalkhunaxhk’u Shaa) 40 years after its first ascent, entirely solo… Read More »Cole Taylor solos the second ascent of the North Pillar on Devils Thumb

This panorama from the top of Bridger Jack Butte shows part of Indian Creek's classic landscape that is currently protected by the 1.35-million-acre Bears Ears National Monument. Recent reports indicate that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has recommended President Donald Trump shrink Bears Ears and other national monuments. [Photo] Derek Franz

Interior Secretary’s review recommends shrinking at least four national monuments including Bears Ears

by Derek Franz

The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal obtained a copy of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s much-anticipated final review of 27 national monuments in which the… Read More »Interior Secretary’s review recommends shrinking at least four national monuments including Bears Ears

The west face of Xanadu. [Photo] Engberg, Bain, Boning and Braasch collection

Three parties establish three new routes on Xanadu’s west face

by Derek Franz

The central west face of Xanadu in Alaska’s Arrigetch Peaks was untouched until this year when three parties established three routes in July and August.… Read More »Three parties establish three new routes on Xanadu’s west face

Marooned at Midnight (VI A3 5.11 R, 17 pitches, 700m) climbs a formation the Inuit call Umiguqjuaq. [Image] Sam England and Ryan Little

Alabamans ‘Marooned at Midnight’ for first ascent of an unclimbed wall on Baffin Island

by Derek Franz

Two Alabamans, Ryan Little, 26, and Sam England, 30, received an American Alpine Club Live Your Dream Grant to attempt the unclimbed Chinese Wall in… Read More »Alabamans ‘Marooned at Midnight’ for first ascent of an unclimbed wall on Baffin Island

The world-class climbing destination of Indian Creek, Utah, is part of Bears Ears National Monument. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has suggested the possibility of shrinking the monument and submitted his final recommendation to President Donald Trump today, but the details of that recommendation have yet to be released. [Photo] Derek Franz

Interior Secretary concludes review of national monuments but details have yet to be released

by Derek Franz

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke quietly submitted his recommendations to President Donald Trump today on whether to alter, reduce or rescind several national monuments, including Bears… Read More »Interior Secretary concludes review of national monuments but details have yet to be released

[Photo] Francois Lebeau/Red Bull Content Pool

DiGiulian, Marin make second free ascent of Mora Mora (5.14b, 700m) in Madagascar

by Derek Franz

Sasha DiGiulian and Edu Marin recently made the second free ascent of Mora Mora (8c or 5.14b, 700m) in Madagascar, which was first freed by… Read More »DiGiulian, Marin make second free ascent of Mora Mora (5.14b, 700m) in Madagascar

Gasherbrum I (8080m): Satisfaction (ED+ M7 WI5+ 70°, 3000m) is the second line from the left. [Image] Marek Holecek

Czech climbers realize ‘Satisfaction’ on Gasherbrum’s southwest face

by Derek Franz

Marek Holecek has returned to the southwest face of Gasherbrum I (8080) five times since 2009 in a bid to complete a route up the… Read More »Czech climbers realize ‘Satisfaction’ on Gasherbrum’s southwest face

Chilean climbers reach two Karakoram summits near Broad Peak

by Derek Franz

Three Chilean climbers–Andres Bosch, 29, Armando Montero, 36, and Alejandro “Jimmy” Mora, 39–set out for the Karakoram Range in mid-June to explore some unclimbed peaks… Read More »Chilean climbers reach two Karakoram summits near Broad Peak