A Drone in the Desert
In this Sharp End story from Alpinist 85—which is now available on newsstands and in our online store—Derek Franz encounters a drone on top of… Read More »A Drone in the Desert
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Derek Franz
![A fixed piton offers a lone spot of protection for Nik Berry and Hayden Kennedy on the notoriously spicy Hallucinogen Wall in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, 2014. [Photo] Andrew Burr](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xa83-sharp-end-1-2-800x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.p-F0ZNQpwV.jpg)
Climbing in Wilderness
In this Sharp End story from Alpinist 83–which is now available on newsstands and in our online store–Derek Franz examines the legal landscape and uncertain
Contemplating the Next Impossible
In this Sharp End story from Alpinist 82–which is now on newsstands and in our online store–Derek Franz considers some of the hardest objectives for
![Reinhold Messner holds the Maestri bolts from Cerro Torre that were given to him in Aspen, Colorado, on November 23, 2022. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xa81-sharp-end-1-830x620.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.yAabhtjYlN.jpg)
Between safety and boldness
In this Sharp End story from Alpinist 81–which is now on newsstands and in our online store–Derek Franz seeks a balance between safety and boldness.
![Derek Franz on Ecclesiastes (IV 5.9) on Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming, in 2019. [Photo] Todd Preston, Derek Franz collection](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xa80-sharp-end-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.kYOBj0_IZi.jpg)
A Climbing Life
In this Sharp End story from Alpinist 80–which is now available on newsstands and in our online store–Derek Franz shares his journey from Alpinist reader
![Madaleine Sorkin during her free ascent of the Dunn-Westbay Direct (IV 5.14-, 4 pitches, 1,000') on the Diamond of Longs Peak (Neniisotoyou'u, 14,255') on August 10. [Photo] Henna Taylor](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xmadaleine-sorkin-dunn-westbay-direct-longs-peak-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.u3DbWJGJkx.jpg)
Madaleine Sorkin becomes the first woman to free climb Dunn-Westbay Direct (5.14-)
On August 10, Madaleine Sorkin, 40, enjoyed a no-falls day on the Dunn-Westbay Direct (IV 5.14-, 4 pitches, 1,000′) on the Diamond of Longs Peak
… Read More »Madaleine Sorkin becomes the first woman to free climb Dunn-Westbay Direct (5.14-)
![Francois Franz Cazzanelli and Pietro Picco climbing the Aosta Valley Express variation (AI 90° M6 85°, 1400m) up to Camp 2 (ca. 6000m) on the Kinshofer Route on Nanga Parbat (8125m). [Photo] Courtesy of Yodel press agency](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xnanga-parbat-aosta-express-1-930x620.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.D2OIz6BrA2.jpg)
A new variation to Camp 2 and a speed ascent on Nanga Parbat
In late June and early July, a group of climbing guides from Italy’s Aosta Valley completed a variation to Camp 2 and a speed ascent
… Read More »A new variation to Camp 2 and a speed ascent on Nanga Parbat
![Annapurna (8091m). [Photo] Wolfgang Beyer, Wikimedia](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xannapurna-i-930x620.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.1_WQ3-YfIa.jpg)
Researchers challenge historical records for 8000-meter peaks
A team of researchers has been working for the past several years analyzing summit photos from the world’s highest peaks–particularly on Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8163m)
… Read More »Researchers challenge historical records for 8000-meter peaks
![The Full Circle Everest expedition. Expedition leader Phil Henderson is third from left in the back row. [Photo] James Edward Mills](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xfull-circle-everest-success-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.htNI5pjAN9.jpg)
Full Circle Everest team summits: first Black expedition to the top of the world
Full Circle Everest–the first all-Black expedition team (with Sherpa support) to attempt Chomolungma (Everest, 8849m)–attained success when several members stood on the highest point of
… Read More »Full Circle Everest team summits: first Black expedition to the top of the world
![Chantel Astorga. [Photo] Jason Thompson, courtesy of the American Alpine Club](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xaac-cutting-edge-grant-2022-1-800x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.WMb6emzO5m.jpg)
American Alpine Club announces Cutting Edge Grant recipients
The American Alpine Club (AAC) has announced the 2022 Cutting Edge Grant recipients: Chantel Astorga, Alan Rousseau, Jerome Sullivan and Priti Wright. The recipients and
… Read More »American Alpine Club announces Cutting Edge Grant recipients
![[Photo] Courtesy of Takeshi Tani and Toshiyuki Yamada](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xkangchung-nup-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.EZRLpfMRPS.jpg)
Japanese team completes first ascent of Kangchung Nup’s NW face in Nepal
After several attempts by other talented climbers in recent years, two alpinists from Japan completed the first ascent of the Northwest Face of Kangchung Nup
… Read More »Japanese team completes first ascent of Kangchung Nup’s NW face in Nepal
![Clint Helander and Andres Marin on top of Golgotha (8,940') in Alaska's Revelation Range after completing the first ascent of Shaft of the Abyss (VI AI5 R M5 90° Snow A0, ca. 4,000'). [Photo] Courtesy of Clint Helander](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xgolgotha-shaft-of-the-abyss-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.mLHJep-aSi.jpg)
Clint Helander, Andres Marin complete their “dream route” on Golgotha in Alaska’s Revelation Range
On March 25, Clint Helander and Andres Marin stood on top of Golgotha (8,940′) in Alaska’s Revelation Range after completing the first ascent of Shaft