Weekly Feature Archives

AAC Recognizes David Allfrey for Outstanding Accomplishment

Posted February 9, 2016

"It's a huge honor. I'm in shock about whole thing," David Allfrey said when we congratulated him after hearing that the American Alpine Club awarded him the Robert Hicks Bates Award.

Yosemite in the Fifties The Iron Age: An Interview with the Photo Collector

Posted January 28, 2016

Photographer Dean "Bullwinkle" Fidelman, a 1970s Stonemaster, has called Yosemite his home for decades, first arriving there in 1971. He has produced several books celebrating the park's climbing culture.

Metanoia

Posted January 21, 2016

IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE WHAT part of the Eiger's ambience is due to its actual limestone, snow and ice, and what part is due to all the stories that played out on that grand vertical stage. I don't think it matters at this point.Most aspirants will start with those tales finely etched in their brains. At times, along the way, they'll climb with the souls of those who perished. That's what happened to me.

The Trail, the Road, and the Space Between

Posted December 22, 2015

The story of Cochamo can start anywhere. But since the trail is where all climbers now begin their adventures, that is where this story will begin. The path was likely cut by the Mapuche, "People of the Land," or by their ancestors, some of the first known human inhabitants of Northern Patagonia.

Conrad Anker's Guest Postings December 8 to 14

Posted December 22, 2015

From December 8—14, we shared glimpses of Conrad Anker's life through images and short stories via the Alpinist Community project. Anker has authored first ascents in the Great Ranges for nearly two decades, includes new routes in the Alaska Range, Patagonia, Antarctica, the Karakoram, and the Himalaya.

Dreams on a Yellow Bike

Posted December 18, 2015

I've been on the move for four hours. My first summit, strapped in winter snow, falls further behind me. I step off the ridge into a west facing couloir. Boot skiing and heel plunging morphs into log jumping and running.

Squirreling Away First Ascents on the Storm Creek Headwall

Posted December 16, 2015

Canadian alpinists Jon Walsh and Michelle Kadatz, both from Calgary, Alberta, recently visited the Storm Creek Headwall.

Paul Zizka's Social Media Guest Postings November 30 to December 6

Posted December 11, 2015

From November 30 to December 6 we presented photos by Paul Zizka as part of our Alpinist Community project.

Sisterhood of the Rope

Posted December 2, 2015

August 9, 2011: The mountains march east into China. That silver sentinel on the horizon is Muztagh Ata, I tell my sister, Christine. To the south rise the dusky ramparts of the Hindu Raj, indistinct in the morning haze. I point north across the Wakhan Corridor, panhandle of Northern Afghanistan.

Drew Smith's Social Media Guest Postings November 23-29

Posted December 1, 2015

From November 23 to 29 Drew Smith shared his photos and video on our social media pages as part of the Alpinist Community project. Smith has established new routes in El Chalten, Argentine Patagonia; Cochamo, Chilean Patagonia; and in Sequoia National Park, California.