Derek Franz

Hazel Findlay leads Tainted Love, aka Northern Soul (5.13d R), in Squamish, British Columbia [Photo] Jonny Baker

Hazel Findlay sends a new stemming testpiece in Squamish at 5.13d R

by Derek Franz

Hazel Findlay recently made the first ascent of the hard trad route Tainted Love, aka Northern Soul (5.13d R)–a thin and powerful stem-corner that is… Read More »Hazel Findlay sends a new stemming testpiece in Squamish at 5.13d R

Mandi Franz explores the high country with Soleil the dog during an overnight trip on Independence Pass, Colorado. [Photo] Derek Franz

Good To-Go backcountry meals: Nutritious and as good as dehydrated recipes can get

by Derek Franz

Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz generally avoids the packaged, freeze-dried or dehydrated meals when he goes camping, but he sampled several Good To-Go meal varieties… Read More »Good To-Go backcountry meals: Nutritious and as good as dehydrated recipes can get

Chacraraju Este's east face with The Devil's Reach Around (M6 5.10, 90*) marked in red. [Photo] Quentin Lindfield Roberts

Canadians free climb Chacraraju’s east face headwall with ‘The Devil’s Reach Around’

by Derek Franz

Canadian climbers Alik Berg and Quentin Lindfield Roberts completed a new route they called The Devil’s Reach Around (M6 5.10, 90°) on the east face… Read More »Canadians free climb Chacraraju’s east face headwall with ‘The Devil’s Reach Around’

Carsten Von Birckhahn in Patagonia. [Photo] Martin Kroussottsi collection

Carsten von Birckhahn is remembered for his kindness, passion and vision

by Derek Franz

Carsten Von Birckhahn–a respected member of the international climbing community and brand manager for Edelrid–died in a paragliding accident in northern Italy on July 15… Read More »Carsten von Birckhahn is remembered for his kindness, passion and vision

The La Sportiva Kataki shoes were made for routes like Scene of the Crime (5.12d) on Independence Pass, Colorado. [Photo] Mandi Franz

The La Sportiva Kataki: A great shoe for vertical to moderately overhanging rock climbs

by Derek Franz

Derek Franz stepped into the new La Sportiva Kataki rock shoes and is impressed with their performance on “tiny little nothings.” He found that the… Read More »The La Sportiva Kataki: A great shoe for vertical to moderately overhanging rock climbs

This photo taken during the helicopter search on July 1 shows where Mariano Galvan and Alberto Zerain disappeared on Nanga Parbat's Mazeno Ridge. [Photo] Alex Gavan

Family organizes continued search efforts for Galvan and Zerain on Nanga Parbat

by Derek Franz

Mariano Galvan’s family organized a continued search effort after he and Alberto Zerain disappeared on Nanga Parbat (8125m) June 24. The men are presumed to… Read More »Family organizes continued search efforts for Galvan and Zerain on Nanga Parbat

A deal was confirmed today that the summer Outdoor Retailer trade show will move to Denver, Colorado, next year. Pictured from left to right are Luis Benitez, director of Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Darrell Denny, executive vice president of Emerald Expositions; Amy Roberts, executive director, Outdoor Industry Association; Governor John Hickenlooper; Mayor Michael Hancock; Nick Sargent, president of SnowSports Industries America; Rachel Benedick, VP sales and service, Visit Denver; Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer show director; Richard Scharf, president and CEO, Visit Denver; Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne. [Photo] Courtesy of Ground Floor Media

Summer Outdoor Retailer is moving to Denver in 2018

by Derek Franz

Colorado officials and Outdoor Retailer executives announced July 6 that Denver will host the huge, lucrative OR Summer Market trade show for the next five… Read More »Summer Outdoor Retailer is moving to Denver in 2018

Nanga Parbat's Diamir Face with the Mazeno Ridge extending toward the foreground. [Photo] Guilhem Vellut, Wikimedia

Climbers missing and presumed dead on Nanga Parbat’s Mazeno Ridge

by Derek Franz

Mariano Galvan and Alberto Zerain are presumed to have died in an avalanche at around 6000 meters on Nanga Parbat (8125m). The two climbers had… Read More »Climbers missing and presumed dead on Nanga Parbat’s Mazeno Ridge

Katie Bono trains at 13,500 feet on Denali, June 1, to prepare for her speed ascent on June 13-14 in which she set a probable female round-trip record of 21 hours, 6 minutes. That time is the third or fourth fastest time overall. [Photo] Savannah Cummins

Katie Bono sets probable women’s speed record on Denali at 21 hours, 6 minutes

by Derek Franz

On June 13-14, Katie Bono completed a round-trip ascent of Denali’s West Buttress in 21 hours, 6 minutes. This is likely a female speed record,… Read More »Katie Bono sets probable women’s speed record on Denali at 21 hours, 6 minutes

Kilian Jornet points to Mt. Everest's shrouded summit while acclimatizing for his first speed ascent of the North Col route. [Photo] Sebastien Montaz-Rosset/Kilian Jornet collection

Kilian Jornet completes two fast and light ascents of Everest in one week

by Derek Franz

Spanish climber and ultra-runner Kilian Jornet completed two rapid Everest ascents without using fixed ropes or bottled oxygen on the North Col route in one… Read More »Kilian Jornet completes two fast and light ascents of Everest in one week

The Black Diamond Access Hoody keeps Derek Franz comfortable between climbs at Main Elk, Colorado, in early March. [Photo] Mandi Franz

Black Diamond Access Hoody: Simple, warm and compact

by Derek Franz

The Black Diamond Access Hoody has kept Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz comfy in a variety of temperatures and conditions since January. He’s happy with… Read More »Black Diamond Access Hoody: Simple, warm and compact

Ryan Franz down climbs from the summit of Bridger Jack Butte to access a rappel station in April 2015. The King of Pain pinnacle is in the background. The area is part of the Bears Ears National Monument designated by outgoing President Barack Obama on December 28, 2016. [Photo] Derek Franz

Zinke’s interim report recommends reducing Bears Ears National Monument

by Derek Franz

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s interim report on Bears Ears National Monument recommends “revising” or reducing the monument’s boundaries while keeping some areas protected. On April… Read More »Zinke’s interim report recommends reducing Bears Ears National Monument