Hangdog Days is New Book About Race to 5.14

Hangdog Days chronicles the era when rock climbing exploded in popularity, attracting a new generation of talented climbers eager to reach new heights via harder routes and faster ascents.

This contentious, often humorous period gave rise to sport climbing, climbing gyms, and competitive climbing–indelibly changing the culture of the sport, transforming it into what we know today.

One of those young climbers, writer Jeff Smoot, traces the development over time of traditional climbing “rules,” enforced first through peer pressure, then later through intimidation and sabotage.

Outdoor Retail show fun: Alan Watts, one of the climbers who led the mid-80s charge up harder routes, holding up Jeff Smoot's @smootopia upcoming book with Alan on the cover. Alan confessed to still owning the sexy lycra tights in the photo. HANGDOG DAYS: CONFLICT, CHANGE, AND THE RACE FOR 5.14 will be out in April. · · #climbing #rockclimbing #smithrock #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbinglife #climbing_is_my_passion #climbing_lovers #climbingphotography #rockclimbing #climbingrocks #climbingwall #bookstagram #book #books #booknerd #booklover #bibliophile #bookaddict #booklove #bookphotography @mountaineersorg @mazamaspdx

A post shared by Mountaineers Books (@mtnbooks) on Feb 1, 2019 at 9:21am PST

In the late ’70s, several climbers began introducing new tricks including “hangdogging”– hanging on gear to practice moves–considered cheating by the old guard.

As more climbers broke ranks with traditional style, this new gymnastic approach pushed the limits of climbing from 5.12 to 5.13.

When French climber Jean-Baptiste Tribout ascended the 5.14a To Bolt or Not to Be at Smith Rock in 1986, he broke a previously thought impenetrable barrier.

John Bachar, Todd Skinner, Ray Jardine, Lynn Hill, Mark Hudon, Tony Yaniro, Alan Watts and others star in this lively period of the sport. Available April 1 here.