At the Edge of What's Possible
Lines, Legacies & What Comes Next - This week stretches climbing across its full spectrum. Laura Rogora needs just six days for Bibliographie 9b+, while a 5.14b falls at 13,500 feet, Seb Bouin opens a new 9a, and new lines appear from Madagascar to Greenland and Half Dome. But #31 also looks beyond grades: a legacy becomes an opportunity for young climbers, Fontainebleau faces a heated debate over access, and competition climbing is already looking toward historic milestones in Arco and Los Angeles.
Six Days, Lasting Legacies & a Fight for the Forest
Laura Rogora storms through Bibliographie 9b+ in just six days, while a new foundation turns the memory of Balin Miller into opportunities for young climbers. Meanwhile, Fontainebleau's future sparks a fierce access debate, and Rock Master prepares to celebrate four decades of climbing history.
A Foundation Carries Balin Miller's Legacy Forward
After Balin Miller passed in a climbing accident late last year, his family is continuing his spirit through a new non-profit. Black Diamond is proud to support the foundation, sponsoring young climbers under 24 who lack the financial resources to pursue the sport.
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Doubloons 5.14b: First Female Ascent at 13,500 Feet
One of the highest sport climbs in the US falls near the summit of Mt. Blue Sky. The southeast arete of the Wind Tower demands sloping features, razor crimps, and a red-line effort to the chains at altitude, with the full tower topped out as a bonus.
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A Cry of Alarm Over Fontainebleau's Future
In the wake of this summer's tragic fires, a debate rages over restricting access to the legendary forest. In an open tribune, users and climbers reject the bureaucratization of the wild and refuse the 'Americanization' of Fontainebleau's management.
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Lučka Rakovec Makes Her Rock Master Debut
The 2019 European Lead Champion is ready to take on the Rock Master wall for the first time. See the Slovenian climber in action in Arco, October 2–4.
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Laura Rogora Climbs Bibliographie, 9b+, in Just Six Days
Laura Rogora has made the second female ascent of Bibliographie (9b+) at Céüse, becoming just the third woman to climb the grade.
Read article →From 9b+ in Six Days to 2,200 Feet Alone
Laura Rogora's astonishingly fast Bibliographie ascent leads a stacked week: Seb Bouin establishes Nova 9a, Michaela Kiersch adds Hazel Grace 8B+, and Alex Honnold finds sixteen pitches of perfection in the Dolomites. Farther into the wild, new ground is broken on Half Dome, in Greenland and Madagascar. Proof that adventure still comes in every possible form.
Alex Honnold Climbs the Hasse-Brandler on Tre Cime
On their last day in the Dolomites, Honnold and Josh McCoy climbed the classic 16-pitch Hasse-Brandler (5.12a / 7a+). Probably the best thing they climbed there, both were blown away by the position on the wall and the quality of the climbing.
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Seb Bouin Establishes Nova, a Stylish New 9a
Stopping by Saint-Auban after Flatanger, Bouin sent the line he bolted in 2024 second go. Built around natural holes and a comp-style jump to a sloping jug, Nova opens with an 8a boulder and is set to become a classic. 'One of the most stylish 9a's out there.'
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The Diablo Traverse Across Five Alaskan Summits
One of the most memorable alpine experiences of Anna Pfaff's career: alongside Clint Helander and Ethan Berkeland, she traversed the Devils Thumb Massif across five summits in one of the wildest corners of Alaska.
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Stonewall: A New Big Wall on Tsaranoro in Madagascar
500 metres of granite, runnels, and the occasional offering to the gods. On 29–30 July, Manuel López and Alex Úbeda established Stonewall on the south face of Tsaranoro Atsimo, named for the 1969 Stonewall riots and the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
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Two 8c/V15 Boulders in One Week at Gottardo
A one-week trip to Gottardo to escape the heat delivered Adularia (8c/V15) and Child of Hell (8c/V15). Two very different styles, both with amazing rock quality and movement, topped off with a sweet crew.
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Redpoints from Baratro & FAs in Befana
The summer heat in Istria has been relentless this year, leaving only the region's shadier crags such as Befana climbable. Strong ascents have still been reported in Baratro, alongside first ascents in Befana, Buzetski kanjon.
Read article →First Female Ascent of Zahir 8b+
This week's Friday Night Video follows Swiss climber Katherine Choong and Eline Le Menestrel as they take on Zahir (8b+, 300m) on the imposing limestone walls of the Wendenstöcke.
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Michaela Kiersch Boulders Hazel Grace (8B+)
After two weeks at the Gotthard Pass in June, Michaela Kiersch adds one of Switzerland's most sought-after lines to her tick list. The ascent is featured in a new Mellow video with special guests Dave Graham and first ascensionist Giuliano Cameroni.
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New Route in Greenland: Sila (7c/A2+)
A summer trip with a difference: from 26–28 July 2026, Jernej Kruder, Silvan Schupbach, and Filippo Sala established Sila in South Greenland, covering 600 metres across 19 pitches and leaving only a single bolt behind.
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9 Days Alone: Taylor Martin's New A4 on Half Dome
In June, Yosemite big wall climber Taylor Martin established Stratosphere (5.9 A4; 2,200ft) over 9 days alone on Half Dome. Now she reveals how she navigated imposter syndrome, tricky terrain, and no-fall zones.
Read article →From Olympic Memories to Paralympic History
Jakob Schubert looks back on what made Paris 2024 unforgettable, while the future is already taking shape: Para Climbing is just two years away from its historic Paralympic debut at LA28. Before then, Arco celebrates 40 years of Rock Master with a heavyweight lineup and Lučka Rakovec is preparing for her first appearance on its legendary wall.
Jakob Schubert Reflects on Paris 2024
The final result matched Tokyo 2020, but the difference was the presence of family, friends, and fans to celebrate it. A reminder that the people in the background are what make an athlete's performance possible and memorable.
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Italy vs USA on the Walltopia Quantum Board
Stefano Ghisolfi, Gio Placci, and Filip Schenk set some boulders for Noah Wheeler, Benn Wheeler, and Adam Shahar's next video — a friendly Italy vs USA showdown on the Walltopia Quantum Board.
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Para Climbing Heads to the 2028 Paralympics in LA
The 2028 Paralympic Games are coming to LA in just two years — the first time ever that Para Climbing will compete in the Paralympics. USA Climbing can't wait to watch history be made.
View post →Gold Medals for Ukraine and Switzerland in Žilina
The World Climbing Europe Series continued in Žilina, Slovakia, with a Speed competition in the adult category across both the men's and women's fields, delivering gold for Ukraine and Switzerland.
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Rock Master 2026: Garda Trentino Celebrates 40 Years
From 2–4 October 2026, the Rock Master in Arco celebrates four decades of competition history. On the start list: Adam Ondra, Stefano Ghisolfi, Jessica Pilz, and Laura Rogora, with special guests Lynn Hill, Yuji Hirayama, François Legrand, and Muriel Sarkany.
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Coppa Europa: Gian Luca Zodda Takes Bronze
At the European Speed Cup in Žilina, Gian Luca Zodda claimed the bronze medal, with four other Italian climbers also reaching the finals.
Read article →Gear Radar: Train Smarter, Grip Better, Test Everything
This week's gear corner gets practical: Lattice breaks down the flexibility routine behind Aidan Roberts' remarkable movement, while Climbing Magazine tackles the eternal battle against sweaty hands. And if testing beats reading, Ocún is bringing shoes and a hand-jam challenge straight to the Mountaineering Film Festival in Teplice.
ALPIN Celebrates 96,000 Followers With a Giveaway
To mark 96,000 followers, ALPIN is raffling off the Julbo INTENSITY sports glasses (worth €125) — built for trail running, gravel biking, and demanding tours with a wide panoramic lens and effective ventilation. Entries run until 28 August 2026.
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Inside Aidan Roberts' Flexibility Routine
Aidan's ability to pull into the wall isn't just strength or technique — his exceptional flexibility unlocks stronger positions and more efficient movement. Lattice breaks down the twice-weekly loaded routine and the every-other-day maintenance circuit behind it.
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Ocún Brings Shoes and a Hand-Jam Challenge to MHFF
From 27–30 August, find Ocún at the International Mountaineering Film Festival in Teplice nad Metují. A new testing hub with a climbing wall and a full test set awaits, plus the PitchSix Force Board to put your hand-jam strength on the leaderboard.
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6 Things That Fixed My Uber-Sweaty Hands—and 2 That Didn't
The author always dreamed of holding a sloper. This year, they decided to make it happen — and share what finally worked against sweaty hands, and what didn't.
Read article →What We Leave Behind
Some climbing stories matter far beyond the send. Balin Miller's family is turning his legacy into grants that help young climbers get outside, while friends remember Broad Peak victim Sohail Sakhi for generosity rather than summits. In Fontainebleau, meanwhile, devastating fires have ignited a much broader argument about conservation, restrictions and who gets to shape the future of one of climbing's most treasured landscapes.
Chris Sharma on a Once-in-a-Lifetime Vision in Mallorca
In awe and grateful to have experienced this special moment — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create beautiful images with a dream team including Chris Burkard and Renan Ozturk.
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Remembering Sohail Sakhi, a 'Guardian Angel' of Broad Peak
Volunteers recovered the body of Sohail Sakhi, 33, one of ten climbers who perished in the Broad Peak avalanche on July 30. The only Pakistani climber in the group, he is remembered by friends as a 'guardian angel' revered for his generosity and mountain ethics.
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Yosemite Facelift Returns This September
Caring about public lands? Kinda chic, actually. Join the Yosemite Climbing Association for Yosemite Facelift, September 23–27.
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