Travel

Things fall apart. In climbing, that can mean whole walls in far mountains, sections of cliffs from the San Jacintos to the Adirondacks and White Mountains, and iconic forms or features on area crags.

The cave is so hidden and far-flung that thousands of climbers, searching for anything new, had over the years walked right past and never saw it.

The 8,000er has recently become mired in controversy, with photographic analysis revealing that few climbers claiming ascents have reached the actual summit.

The mountain offers a blend of ferocious weather, altitude, and remote location, enough to challenge any climber.

Sheffield's legendary training facility changed the history (and future) of our sport.

When a team needed a rescue, the author and her climbing partner sprung into action. Later, her partner rescued her from a hairy situation.

It was an artful deceit, a blurring of fact that eventually led to one of Yosemite's finest routes.

Cubans face the worst economic catastrophe in 30 years. Blackouts and food shortages are now the norm.

Are rocks beings? Most climbers, when asked, would say “No.” But in our conversations, stones often becomes animate—they take the subject position, acting on the human sphere. What could this mean for our world?

The 1970s were heady times in Yosemite, ruled by the high kings of rock, The Stonemasters. And then there were the HoseMasters, ordinary climbers who did something extraordinary.

The world’s highest mountain is a sought-after prize, though rampant commercialization has significantly changed the climbing experience.

In 2007, Kelly Cordes and Colin Haley linked two monster routes to climb Cerro Torre base-to-summit in 32 hours. And you know what? It's all good, brah. ...

Get this high elevation rock while you can!

Is America’s best bouldering is above 9,000 feet? Some of us think so. Here’s what you need to know to hit the country’s finest alpine areas.

In 2020, Chris Sharma established a Trick or Tree, a 5.14a deepwater solo in Spain’s Mont-Rebei Gorge. These climbers took standup paddleboards down the river looking for more climbing potential. Instead they found themselves mired in drought. 

Chalk Plant hopes to raise funds through Web3 technology to build a climbing space in Brooklyn

An encounter with the undead would have turned back most people. But a big free wall awaited, and well ...

157 years ago, today, the Matterhorn saw its first ascent. To celebrate that fact, we present 10 fun facts about Europe’s most famous summit.

Snell’s Field, the alpine climbers’ version of Camp 4 outside Chamonix, France, was for 20-odd years a squalid (if free) conglomeration of makeshift rain shelters, tents and rolling wrecks typically populated by British, American and German alpinists, none of whom especially liked the others.

One of the world's best (and least developed) sandstone trad areas is in Liming, in China's Yunnan province. It's a pretty special place.

Alpamayo was supposed to be easy. Until it wasn't.

A warm invite to climb in Montana —just don’t expect a mint on your pillow

The Howe Sound’s most famous cliff is Stawamus Chief, but across the water lies some of the finest granite sport, trad, and deep-water soloing in North America.

High in a remote alpine valley in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, the most pristine limestone in the Americas is at risk of being swallowed by a colossal open-pit mine.

100 new routes opened in Saudi Arabia’s first climbing festival.

The world class rock of Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia and Arkansas, as you've never seen it.

A quiet "third-classing" competition took place in the summer of 1985 in the Gunks, culminating in the author's free solo of the ultra-classic "Supercrack" 5.12c.

We polled 1,080 climbers to find a community consensus about what constitutes unacceptable "manufacturing" of routes.

Here's what science says (so far) about exactly what happens when sandstone gets wet—and what that means for climbing.

Though climbing might not immediately come to mind when you hear “Cambodia,” the country is producing motivated youth climbers.

"The Nooks will be the next big destination for GTA climbers to get a taste of what being ‘disconnected’ and climbing in nature feels like. [Plus] the climbing is GOOD—really good.”

Chris Schulte's homage to some of the world's most iconic gneiss bouldering zones.

A photographer's journey reveals unimaginable climbing wealth and beauty, and barely scratches the surface of possibilities.

Whether you’re already an offwidth fan or are ready to face your fears, check out this list for some of our favorites.

The Ukrainian Embassy has asked Nepali officials to block Russian mountaineers from the high peaks

Over the last three decades, the Red River Gorge has emerged as one of America’s most famous sport climbing destinations, but climbers have haunted the region since the 1960s. A new book tells the oral history of climbing—and climbing access—in the Red.

Ever wonder how the B-Scale relates to the V-scale relates to the Fb scale relates to the Dankyū system? We've got answers. And some history lessons.

A look back at the inspiring history of one of the nation’s most iconic independent gear shops on the eve of its 50th anniversary.

What happens to a climbing community when its gym changes hands?

Eight routes that keep the adventure high and the difficulty manageable.

Take a look at some of the best hand-sized crack climbs across the country, from Nevada to West Virginia.

Some climbers wait to attempt famous free routes until they’re good enough to do them in perfect style. But what if you are never that good? Purists would say you should stay off the climb—leave it for those who have the necessary strength and talent. I say go for it, with a few points of A0.

A longtime Everest chronicler looks at how much it actually costs to climb Mount Everest, where the money goes, and how costs vary by expedition type (and swankiness).

Growing numbers of hikers, bikers, and skiers are leaving Colorado SAR teams strapped. One new study offers some radical ideas

The 200-page compendium highlights lesser-known crags in 50 countries around the world.

Check out Owen Clarke's author page.

The writer and stonemaster John Long dives into the lore (and his own experiences) on his favorite 5.10: The East Buttress of El Cap

As the crag came into view, their spirits soared, then quickly sank: “We began to notice that something was missing,” Tighe said. “The first two bolts from every route.”

The nonprofit Climbing for a Reason heads to a remote village in Pakistan's Sigar Valley to introduce climbing to its systemically disenfranchised young girls.

Check out Josh Larson's author page.

Fifty-five tons of steel, 24 tons of fiberglass and plexiglass and eight Walltopia technicians: with that and more, the tallest climbing wall in the world was constructed on the exterior of CopenHill.

The Indian climbing community is predominantly male. These women aim to change that.

An earthquake and cataclysmic avalanches in the Langtang Valley, Nepal, spell tragedy for hundreds—and a close call for Colin Haley.

10 years after the inaugural, and still only, bouldering gym opened, local climbers can now tackle the real thing in Valbona Valley. But hydropower plants and unregulated commercial development may muddy it all.

The Preseli stones were all transported to Stonehenge, 140 miles away. Preseli is a climbing area—a bouldering crag. 

Check out Alben Osaki's author page.

On the sharp end and otherwise at the Midwest's most storied climbing area.

Always wanted to go to Patagonia? Sign up for Outside+ and receive a discount on this guided trip.

These “ice stupas” in Chile will store over two million liters of water each, supporting mountain communities during increasingly long dry seasons.

Mount Everest was identified as the world's tallest mountain in the 1850s. A new book asks why it took nearly 70 years for any known explorers to visit the mountain?

Check out The Editors's author page.

It doesn’t take much to learn the basics (ice axe and crampon use, self-arresting techniques, snow hazard analysis) and unlock big new terrain for yourself.

For generations of Kenyan climbers, Lukenya has been an important refuge and proving ground, connecting climbers from around the world with nature and with each other.

Check out Simon Carter's author page.

Climb BlueSky was East Africa's first public climbing gym.

An old-school slab romp to test the nerves.

65 moves, six v11-v12 boulder problems, and no rests. Domen Škofic, a Lead World Cup Champion, thinks it clocks in at 5.15c.

A quest (or not) to tick “The List,” the Top 10 crack pitches in the choss capital of the world.

Over a dozen avalanches, rockfall, a core-shot rope, and single-piece anchors tested this team to the limit during a harrowing stormy descent from a remote face in Glacier National Park.

Check out Delaney Miller's author page.

Check out Steve House's author page.

Savor this five-pitch route outside Grand Junction, Colorado.

Check out Steve Swenson's author page.

How an immigrant from Portugal helped create America's premier sport climbing destination.

“When you climb at the Quarries, you get good at slab climbing or you leave.” John Strand

It's too beautiful. It's not crowded enough. You're better off at your local gym.

I hated this situation. I loved it, too. Not a soul, not even God, stood between me and the decision I faced. Do or fly.

This rock climbing road trip should be added to your bucket list

The first ascent of Castleton Tower, the world's most iconic desert spire, went down 60 years ago. So what has changed—and what hasn't—since?

Trango Tower? Mt. Thor? Lotus Flower Tower? Puh-lease. Those things aren't even near to the longest climbs in the world. For that you need to go sideways.