Derek Franz

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

Tommy Caldwell is honest and vulnerable in his autobiography ‘The Push’

by Derek Franz

Tommy Caldwell’s autobiography, The Push, is as daring as his multitude of world-class climbing accomplishments, which range from 5.14 and 5.15 sport routes around the

In this photo that was taken through a telescope from the ground, Alex Honnold carefully makes his way across the highly technical, friction-dependent moves low on the Freerider route (VI 5.13a, 3,000') during his historic ropeless ascent of El Capitan, June 3. [Photo] Tom Evans

The world gasps in the aftermath of Alex Honnold’s free solo of El Capitan’s Freerider (5.13a, 3,000′)

by Derek Franz

Alex Honnold became the first person to free solo El Capitan via the Freerider route (VI 5.13a, 3,000′) on June 3, which is indisputably a

With Yosemite Falls rumbling to his left, Jon Cardwell face climbs into the final 5.12 splitter crack on Pitch 13 of the Misty Wall (5.13, 1,700') during a free ascent with Sasha DiGiulian on May 27. Cardwell had previously freed the individual pitches with Marcus Garcia last autumn, but the recent ascent is the first time the route has been free climbed in a continuous push, which took about 14.5 hours. [Photo] Marcus Garcia

Legacy Restoration Project begets another high-end route: Yosemite’s Misty Wall (5.13)

by Derek Franz

The Legacy Restoration Project is an emerging program to clean up forgotten routes as a way to remind climbers of the potential that still lies

The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, will host the Outdoor Retailer at least one more time this July. [Photo] hakkun, Wikimedia

Outdoor Retailer winter trade show is merging with SIA Snow Show in Denver

by Derek Franz

Emerald Expositions–the company that owns Outdoor Retailer–announced May 24 that it has acquired the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show and that the winter OR

The east face of the Ship's Prow with MantraMandala (VI A3+, 450m) marked in red. [Photo] Marek Raganowicz

Marek Raganowicz solos two new routes on the Ship’s Prow in Baffin Island

by Derek Franz

Though he intended to do some solo climbing, Marek Raganowicz hadn’t planned on spending the entire six weeks alone among the polar bears on Baffin

Max Barlerin and Quinn Brett celebrate on top of the Leaning Wall in Zion after Brett's free ascent of Spaceshot (IV 5.13a) on May 2. [Photo] Max Barlerin

Quinn Brett makes probable first female free ascent of Spaceshot (5.13a) in Zion

by Derek Franz

Quinn Brett made what is likely the first female free ascent of Spaceshot (IV 5.13a, 9 pitches) in Zion National Park, Utah, on May 1-2,

The delegation of Colorado climbers walks through the rain from the House to the Senate while lobbying Congress in Washington, DC, on May 11 as part of the Climb the Hill event organized by the Access Fund and American Alpine Club. [Photo] Derek Franz

Climber delegation lobbies Congress on behalf of public lands

by Derek Franz

Approximately 50 climbers lobbied Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, as part of the Access Fund and American Alpine Club’s Climb the Hill event on May

Derek Franz stays warm at a breezy belay with NW Alpine's Eyebright jacket atop Pitch 4 of Horse and Pony Show (III 5.11d) on the obscure Grizzly Creek Wall in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Craig Helm

NW Alpine Eyebright Jacket: Burly and ultralight

by Derek Franz

Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz tested the NW Alpine Eyebright ultralight shell jacket, one of the lightest and most durable in its class because of

A climber leads Three Strikes You're Out (5.11, 90') on the Battle of the Bulge Buttress in Indian Creek, Utah. The area is part of Bears Ears National Monument where US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is conducting a visit as part of his review of all national monuments designated in the last 21 years--as ordered by President Donald Trump in April. Conservation groups fear the unprecedented review could result in these monuments being rescinded or reduced. [Photo] Derek Franz

Interior Secretary arrives in Utah for tour of national monuments under review

by Derek Franz

US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s visit to Utah is underway as he begins his review of national monuments following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order.

Mt. Huntington's South Ridge. [Photo] Clint Helander

The ‘Gauntlet’: Two Americans make first ascent of Huntington’s Complete South Ridge

by Derek Franz

Clint Helander and Jess Roskelley stepped off the plane on Alaska’s Tokositna Glacier April 18 and immediately committed to Mt. Huntington’s South Ridge, which had

Scott Bennett and Graham Zimmerman are receiving the American Alpine Club's Cutting Edge Award for their 2015 ascent of K6 West (7040m) by a new route on the Southwest Ridge (M6 90 degrees, 1800m) at a benefit celebration in Denver on June 3. The event will also recognize David Morton and Melissa Arnot Reid, Sean and Timmy O'Neill, Doug Walker and Sean Patrick for their contributions to social and environmental causes around the world. [Photo] Courtesy of the American Alpine Club

American Alpine Club presents its second annual Excellence in Climbing Awards

by Derek Franz

Tickets are now available for the American Alpine Club’s second annual Excellence in Climbing Awards celebration in Denver on June 3. The event will honor