Close to Home
[This Sharp End story originally appeared in Alpinist 90 (Summer 2025), which is now available on newsstands and in our online store. Only a small fraction of our… Read More »Close to Home
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Weekly Feature
In the Shadow of the Grand: A Reflection on the Life of Michael Gardner
[The following is an excerpt from a much longer feature story that originally appeared in Alpinist 89 (Spring 2025), which is available in our online… Read More »In the Shadow of the Grand: A Reflection on the Life of Michael Gardner
A discussion of mixed reactions to a mixed winter ascent of the Diamond
Whenever there is an ascent that breaks away from expected norms in terms of tactics, style, difficulty, whatever—it is usually worth a second look, if… Read More »A discussion of mixed reactions to a mixed winter ascent of the Diamond
Impossible Things
Dawn Wall free in a day. There, I thought it, said it, wrote it. Someday it’s sure to happen, yes? Séb Berthe agrees…. Saying, speaking,… Read More »Impossible Things
1984: Sarah’s Summit
At age thirteen, Sarah Doherty lost her right leg to a drunk driver, but the accident didn’t stop her from pursuing athletics. She became the… Read More »1984: Sarah’s Summit
1792-Present: Deconstructing Rainier. Reconstructing Takhoma.
I wanted to share these ideas because I am the Native American mountain guide who was (is) obsessed with peak-bagging and deconstructing his colonial mindset… Read More »1792-Present: Deconstructing Rainier. Reconstructing Takhoma.
1988-1995: The Training and the Test
The mountain’s changing conditions, technical terrain and unpredictable weather make it a far more serious objective than the Lower 48’s other “Fourteeners.” It’s no wonder… Read More »1988-1995: The Training and the Test
The Green Man
After being involved in an avalanche that killed a beloved member of her community in Colorado’s Elk Range in 2020, Laura Yale begins a journey… Read More »The Green Man
Hard to Explain
In honor of Veterans Day, we’re sharing this story from Alpinist 87—which is currently available on newsstands and in our online store. In this short… Read More »Hard to Explain
Worth the Weight?
This feature story by Michael Gardner originally appeared in Alpinist 77 (Spring 2022). On October 7, 2024, Gardner fell to his death while attempting Jannu… Read More »Worth the Weight?
Fabulous Roman Candles
[This story originally appeared in Alpinist 87 (Autumn 2024), which is now available on newsstands and in our online store. Only a small fraction of… Read More »Fabulous Roman Candles
A tiny portion of infinite time: The first ascent of Pumari Chhish East
In mid-May, after a particularly chaotic start, dealing with postponed visas, plane cancellations and delayed gear shipments, we landed in Islamabad and I was heading… Read More »A tiny portion of infinite time: The first ascent of Pumari Chhish East