Records, Resistance & Relentless Pursuit
Some victories are measured in medals. Others in persistence. This week, the climbing world delivered both. From Janja Garnbret's historic 50th World Cup victory to William Bosi's relentless battle with Silence (9c) and powerful stories of resilience beyond climbing itself, Edition #24 is about people refusing to stop when the summit still feels far away.
The Stories Everyone Was Talking About
Not every headline is about grades and podiums. This week's highlights celebrate record-breaking achievements, extraordinary resilience, and the stories that remind us why climbing matters. From Janja Garnbret rewriting World Cup history, to Sorato Anraku's march toward dominance, River Ahmad's journey from refugee to Everest summit, and Jakob Schubert reflecting on a groundbreaking ascent years in the making — these are the moments that captured the attention of the global climbing community.
Janja Garnbret Claims Her Record 50th World Cup Victory
IT'S OFFICIAL: the 🐐 claimed her 50th World Cup victory. Janja Garnbret now accounts for the most World Cup gold medals ever awarded.
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Sorato Anraku Wins Innsbruck — Five Boulder Golds in a Row
Five wins in a row. "I'm at a loss for words. I'm not the strongest climber. I'm always aiming for perfection, but that day will probably never come. But I intend to keep struggling hard." Podium: 🥈 Rei Kawamata, 🥉 Lee Do.
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Jakob Schubert: B.I.G. — A World First Documentary Released
On September 20, 2023, Jakob Schubert climbed B.I.G. in Flatanger — bolted by Adam Ondra and a project for over a decade. The new film captures the livestreamed ascent and the mental side of pushing limits on a route that once felt impossible.
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River Ahmad: First Afghan Woman to Summit Everest
River Ahmad became the first Afghan woman to summit Everest on May 21. After surviving Taliban violence and fleeing Afghanistan, she reached the summit carrying a message for Afghan women and girls whose freedom has been stripped away.
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Anraku Secures 2026 Boulder Overall — Women's Race Stays Tight
With 5,000 points and only one round left, Anraku has clinched the 2026 Boulder Overall. Dohyun Lee sits second; in the women's, Erin McNeice (3,740) leads Oceania Mackenzie (3,470) and Annie Sanders (3,300).
View post →Pushing the Impossible
The pursuit of harder climbs never slows down. William Bosi continues to inch closer to climbing's ultimate benchmark, linking key sections of Silence (9c) and revealing just how complex the route truly is. Seb Bouin adds another first ascent to his growing legacy, while stories from Peru, Afghanistan, and beyond remind us that great ascents are often about much more than grades — they are about vision, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Will Bosi: "The Hardest Boulder I've Ever Done" — Silence Crux Beta
When a world-class boulderer says that about a sport climb, you watch. Bosi breaks down the mind-bending crux beta of Silence (9c).
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Will Bosi Links the Silence Crux After 20 Sessions
Bosi has dedicated his season to Silence (9c) — the world's hardest route. After 20 intense sessions, he's officially linked the infamous crux section. The hunt is on.
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Mason Keough Sends an 8A Boulder With Four Amputated Fingers
Paraclimber Mason Keough sends an 8A boulder in Washington state with four amputated fingers on his left hand.
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Seb Bouin FA of Mestreme Dream Extension 8c at Blégier
Blégier is a French crag you've probably never heard of, yet packed with amazing lines on beautiful rock. Bouin stopped by for a day and made the first ascent of a really cool 8c — more projects are waiting.
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Oliver Kaspar's Solo Ascent of Tocllaraju (6,034m) in Peru
Twenty-two-year-old Tuscan climber Oliver Kaspar recounts his solo adventure on Tocllaraju in Peru — facing nighttime doubts, crevasse mazes, and strong winds in the spirit of exploratory alpinism.
Read article →History Made in Innsbruck
The World Cup circus rolled into Innsbruck and delivered one of the defining competition weekends of the season. Janja Garnbret reached an astonishing milestone with her 50th World Cup victory, while Sorato Anraku continued a streak that is beginning to feel inevitable. Veteran legends like Adam Ondra and Jakob Schubert reminded everyone why they remain fan favorites, even as a new generation continues to raise the bar.
Janja Garnbret: "50!!! I Could Only Dream of This"
Janja's first reaction to her 50th World Cup victory — "I could only dream of this when it all started. Still trying to process it all."
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Adam Ondra Lands 5th at Innsbruck Lead — Comps Feel Fun Again
Ondra finished 5th in Innsbruck Lead. After Prague, he felt no pressure and wanted to enjoy the wall — and felt better physically than in Prague. "Unlike in Prague, it felt possible to be back on the podium in the future again." Next: European Championships in Laval.
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Jakob Schubert Reflects on Innsbruck Lead Finals
"About last night." Schubert thanks the crowd at his home Innsbruck Lead World Cup. Congrats to Neo Suzuki (gold) and Alberto Ginés (silver).
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Flash of Brilliance Sends Sanders to Innsbruck Boulder Victory
Annie Sanders takes gold at the Boulder World Cup in Innsbruck — joined on the podium by Erin McNeice (GB) and Oceania Mackenzie (Australia).
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Innsbruck World Cup Week — Full Boulder, Lead and Para Results
Full house and a stacked starting field in Innsbruck — all results from the Boulder, Lead and Para World Cups at a glance.
Read article →Safety, Stories & The Things We Carry
Gear isn't always about new products. Sometimes it's about the habits, systems, and tools that shape our climbing lives. This week we look at the uncomfortable lessons behind recent autobelay accidents and why routine can become dangerous. Alongside that comes a celebration of climbing culture itself, as Mellow Magazine continues building one of the most thoughtful print projects in modern climbing.
Why Autobelay Accidents Keep Happening
After a fatal fall in Luxembourg earlier this month, Climbing Magazine looks beyond the incident report at why autobelay accidents keep happening — and how even experienced climbers can overlook the most mundane checks.
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Mellow Mag Subscriptions Open — Volumes 03 + 04
Subscriptions for Mellow Mag close June 26. This year's includes Volumes 03 + 04, featuring Zach Galla, Nate Williams, Victoria Kohner-Flanagan, Tadros Eyob, Jimmy Webb, Pietro Vidi and more — photography, essays, comics, and conversations.
View post →The Culture Beyond the Crag
Not every great climbing story ends at the chains. This week's features explore the places, people, films, and traditions that keep the community connected. From the timeless sandstone walls of Kolob Canyon and classic alpine photography to new documentaries, rescue stories, festival announcements, and ambitious mountain projects, these are the stories that make climbing feel bigger than the next send.
35 Years Later, Kolob Canyon's Magic Still Holds
Things looked different when Conrad Anker and Brad Quinn first visited Kolob Canyon in 1990 — fewer bolts, less chalk. But the surrealistic huecos still cement the canyon as a Western climbing classic, now revisited by Landry Vincent.
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In höchster Not — Bergretter im Einsatz: Season 3 Confirmed
The success story of the German mountain rescue series continues with a third season. New: Bergwacht Oberstdorf joins the format.
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UKClimbing's Top 10 — Fresh and Vintage Mountain Photos
Some fresh and some vintage entries in the user-voted Top 10 — including Peter Biven and Trevor Peck on Valkyrie at Froggatt (1952). Winner: Lee leading pitch 5 of Rebuffat-Baquet on the Aiguille du Midi.
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Anna Maria Apel Returns to Rock Master
Anna Maria Apel returns to Rock Master after a double podium at the last edition (3rd in Lead Duel and KO Boulder). See you in Arco, October 2-4.
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Hervé Barmasse's Endurance — Italia Project Enters Final Phase
Italian mountaineer Hervé Barmasse enters the final phase of Endurance — Italia, an unprecedented sporting and mental challenge combining mountaineering, cycling and trail running across the highest peaks of every Italian region.
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A Big Wall Story — Anna Hazelnutt & Matilda Söderlund in Madagascar
Matilda Söderlund and Anna Hazelnutt met by chance in a taco shop. Hazelnutt shared her dream of climbing in Madagascar — Söderlund immediately agreed. A few months later, they drove to Tsaranoro.
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