Weekly Feature Archives

Nautical Series: Bob Shepton

Posted October 5, 2011

In 2010, Scottish skipper/ex-priest Bob Shepton "lured" Belgians Nicolas Favresse, Olivier Favresse, Sean Villanueva and American Ben Ditto to the coast of Greenland with photos of a virgin wall, whose location he refused to disclose until they hired him to take them there. The climbers put up several new big-wall routes, using Shepton's sailboat—Dodo's Delight—as their floating base camp.

Serkhe Khollu, Bolivia: A New Line on Crutches

Posted September 20, 2011

A rope length away from the summit of Ala Izquierda in Bolivia, Isabel Suppe was pulled from her perch on the summit ridge and tumbled 400m. She and her partner spent the following two nights in the open, trying to crawl back to camp. Her partner died of hypothermia during the second night, and she was rescued the next day. One year later, Isabel hobbled to the base of Serkhe Khollu on crutches, and put up a new line on the southwest face of this 5546-meter peak.

Before and After

Posted August 24, 2011

Two videos show how a day in the life of Renan Ozturk changed (and didn't change) after a near-fatal accident.

Cratering in Newfoundland

Posted July 30, 2011

Still gripping his axe, Eliot hung over the water. We pulled him back from being crushed. He didn't whine, whimper or scream out; there was no indication of his pain besides the funny way he rolled his next cigarette.

Chad's Ennedi Dessert: A Google Earth Adventure

Posted July 20, 2011

They began by traveling the only paved road in the country—and then driving 700 kilometers farther.

The Threshold Effect

Posted July 11, 2011

Alfred Mummery wrote in his 19th century classic book, My Climbs in the Alps and Caucasus, "It has frequently been noticed that all mountains appear doomed to pass through the three stages: An inaccessible peak - The most difficult ascent in the Alps - An easy day for a lady." While the misogynistic temper of this famous quote is obsolete, its more general point seems to ring true.

Alexander Odintsov on Latok III

Posted June 30, 2011

Steve House New Hampshire Video

Posted June 10, 2011

Video: Grabbing The Dragon By The Horns

Posted June 8, 2011

In the last days of April, David Kaszlikowski and Eliza Kubarska hacked their way through the Malaysian jungle to reach the twin granitic towers that dominate the island Tioman—Dragon's Horns.

The Original 'Mountain' Bikers

Posted May 24, 2011

The brothers climbed the face. At 4478 meters they stood, triumphant and utterly spent. And yet, there was probably some quiet, persistent voice whispering an unpleasant reminder in the back of their minds: Nice job. Now get down there and ride back home.