New Memoir by Top American Climber
Russ Clune was a leading climber in the 1980s and worked at Black Diamond Equipment for over 30 years
Russ Clune is a legendary American rock climber who lives in New York’s Shawangunk Mountains. He’s been climbing for nearly 50 years and was one of America’s best rock climbers during the 1980s. He was also part of a group that created Black Diamond Equipment, where he worked for 30 years. Scan the pages of any Gunks guidebook and you’ll find Clune’s name tied to first ascents of numerous classics, perhaps the most famous being Twilight Zone 5.13b.
His new memoir, The Lifer: Rock Climbing Adventures in the Gunks and Beyond, focuses on many of his climbing adventures. “Clune brings to life hilarious and sometimes horrifying escapades while he tests his mettle,” the book’s description reads. “Along the way, he deftly illustrates the changes that morphed rock climbing from a dirtbag activity for somewhat eccentric people to today’s Olympic sport status for its most dedicated practitioners. As Clune travels, the reader is introduced to a who’s-who of climbers of the past and pulled into the experiences that created special bonds and lifelong friendships.”
About the book, Chris Sharma said, “Reading Russ’ stories from the golden era of rock climbing is incredibly inspiring, featuring snapshots of some of the most relevant climbers and areas and routes of our sport. Not only is it a great personal account of finding one’s way in the world of climbing but also brings to life some of the incredible characters, climbing areas, and routes that ushered in modern day climbing.” You can order The Lifer here.
The Lifer