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Chris Van Leuven leads FM (5.11c) in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, while wearing the Ortovox Merino Fleece Light Hoody. [Photo] Paul Gagner

One Flashy Hoody: Ortovox Merino Fleece Light

by Chris Van Leuven

Chris Van Leuven wears hoodies often and has tested his share of them. His latest review awards the Ortovox Merino Fleece Light Hoody four stars.… Read More »One Flashy Hoody: Ortovox Merino Fleece Light

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… Read More »Climber delegation lobbies Congress on behalf of public lands

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 Conservation groups fear the unprecedented review could result in these monuments being rescinded or reduced.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.… Read More »Interior Secretary arrives in Utah for tour of national monuments under review

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… Read More »NW Alpine Eyebright Jacket: Burly and ultralight

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

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… Read More »American Alpine Club presents its second annual Excellence in Climbing Awards

Ueli Steck on Punta Margherita (4066m), one of six 4000-meter summits along the Italian/French Grandes Jorasses ridge traverse that Steck climbed in a 62-day push to climb all 82 4000-meter summits in the Alps in 2015. [Photo] Courtesy Ueli Steck

Ueli Steck found dead after an apparent fall on Nuptse while acclimatizing

by Derek Franz

Swiss alpinist Ueli Steck was found dead on April 30 near Camp 2 on Mt. Everest (8848m) after he apparently fell while climbing 7861-meter Nuptse… Read More »Ueli Steck found dead after an apparent fall on Nuptse while acclimatizing

Jess Roskelley climbs a mixed pitch on the first ascent of Raggedy Man (5.9 WI4+) in Montana's Cabinet Mountains, March 20. [Photo] Scott Coldiron

Arc’teryx Procline: One boot for skiing and ice climbing

by Jess Roskelley

An ice climbing boot that handles skis as well? Jess Roskelley tested the Arc’teryx Procline Carbon Lite boots and enjoyed their versatility for approaching and… Read More »Arc’teryx Procline: One boot for skiing and ice climbing

North Six Shooter towers over the valley of Indian Creek, Utah. Just east of Canyonlands National Park, this area is now included in Bears Ears National Monument, which was designated by former President Barack Obama on December 28, 2016. [Photo] Derek Franz

Trump signs executive order to review Bears Ears and all national monuments designated in the last 21 years

by Derek Franz

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to review Bears Ears and all national monuments designated in the last 21 years. The order was issued… Read More »Trump signs executive order to review Bears Ears and all national monuments designated in the last 21 years

A view of Cerro Trono from the east side of the Cordillera Sarmiento. [Photo] Whitney Clark

A foray into the ‘Never-Never Land’ of Cordillera Sarmiento, Chile

by Whitney Clark

Last March Americans Whitney Clark, Jon Griffin and Tad McCrea ventured into a notoriously wet and seldom-visited coastal region of South America–Patagonia’s Cordillera Sarmiento–in hopes… Read More »A foray into the ‘Never-Never Land’ of Cordillera Sarmiento, Chile

Keita Kurakami leads Hakuhatsuki, or Gray Haired Demon, (5.13d R) as a rope solo. After taking a groundfall attempting to redpoint the route as a rope solo, he decided to follow the crack all the way to the top of the cliff instead of ending at the bolt anchors. He named the extended route The Votive Light (5.13d/14a R). [Photo] Kenichi Moriyama

Keita Kurakami sees The Votive Light (5.13d/14a R trad) in Yukawa, Japan

by Derek Franz

Keita Kurakami endures a ground fall before succeeding on the first ascent of another new trad route in Japan. He linked a previously existing 5.13d… Read More »Keita Kurakami sees The Votive Light (5.13d/14a R trad) in Yukawa, Japan

Brette Harrington leads an offwidth choked with ice and sugar snow in the vicinity of Pitch 9 on Riders on the Storm (VI 5.12d/5.13 A3, 1300m), Torre Central, Torres del Paine, Patagonia. She used a variety of tricks to make progress, including aid moves off her ice axes. [Photo] Drew Smith

Riding the Storm on Torre Central, Patagonia

by Mayan Smith-Gobat

Mayan Smith-Gobat returns to the Torres del Paine in Patagonia to attempt a complete free ascent of Riders on the Storm (VI 5.12d/5.13 A3, 1300m)… Read More »Riding the Storm on Torre Central, Patagonia