Yosemite Locals Establish Two New Routes

August 8th, 2019 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in International, News, Profiles, Rock | Comments Off on Yosemite Locals Establish Two New Routes

It’s hot in Yosemite Valley right now, and that heat is driving most climbers to the cool Tuolumne High Country or other areas. But a few climbers remain dedicated to climbing here — and […]

Jess O’Bryan: Climber, Surfer… and Cyber Threat Hunter?

June 2nd, 2019 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in International, Profiles, Routes | Comments Off on Jess O’Bryan: Climber, Surfer… and Cyber Threat Hunter?

For anyone who’s ever caught a fast wave on their board and felt the water breaking overhead, before letting gravity take over and relaxing through the ride, know that surfing and climbing—where one commits […]

Live From the 15th Annual Yosemite Facelift

October 1st, 2018 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in Profiles | Comments Off on Live From the 15th Annual Yosemite Facelift

Today is day five of the 15th annual Yosemite Facelift organized by longtime Valley local Ken Yager. Each morning starting at 8 a.m., upwards of 500 volunteers have lined up at the Visitor Center […]

Dinner With Alpinist Kevin Cooper

February 23rd, 2018 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in Ice, Profiles | Comments Off on Dinner With Alpinist Kevin Cooper

Over boiled fish and steamed veggies, Coop recalls his climbing partner of 20 years, surviving a 300-metre tumble, and establishing cutting-edge routes deep in Alaska. “Did you see that whipper I took,” Kevin Cooper […]

A Morning with American Ice and Comp Climber Tyler Kempney

February 1st, 2018 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in Comps, News, Profiles | Comments Off on A Morning with American Ice and Comp Climber Tyler Kempney

Sitting on a crashpad-couch, Tyler Kempney slides a hand through his hair as he tries to remember the chronology of the last few days. Since Thursday, he’s climbed at Poke-O-Moonshine (Adirondacks), New York, Snake Mountain, […]

Clint Helander: Alaska Alpinist’s First Business Trip to Colorado

January 29th, 2018 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in International, Mountain, Profiles | Comments Off on Clint Helander: Alaska Alpinist’s First Business Trip to Colorado

“What the hell happened there?” Clint Helander says as his beer tips over next to me on the living room table. Then he slurps it up off the place-mat, and I hand him a […]

Hard Tennessee Trad Receives First Female Ascent

January 26th, 2018 by Chris Van Leuven | Posted in News, Profiles, Rock | Comments Off on Hard Tennessee Trad Receives First Female Ascent

Minutes ago, American climber Kathy Karlo lowered from the chains after completing the first female ascent of the bombay roof-crack Fists of Fury at the West Tennessee Wall. The 30-metre route put up by […]