Changing Route Names

Over Labor Day weekend, climbers at Whitehorse Ledge, New Hampshire hung large Pride and Black Lives Matter flags from the cliffs along with a canoe. The event sparked debate among the climbing community. Listen to the Climbing staff discuss whether or not demonstrations belong at our crags, and why it's impossible to separate climbing from politics. Plus, another game of Guess That Gram.

In July of 2020, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell completed a new traverse linking the iconic routes of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. They dubbed it the CUDL Traverse (pronounced "cuddle," because the pair had to cuddle for warmth over night). In 36 hours, the two climbers covered 20k feet of vertical, 35 miles, and 65 pitches across 11 classic climbing routes. Listen to the Climbing staff discuss the achievement, as well as the dark side of moving fast in the mountains. Plus, another game of Guess That Gram.

The new civil rights movement has renewed a longstanding debate within the climbing community: Should objectionable route names be renamed? And what if the community agrees that a route should be renamed, but the developer isn't interested or can't be reached? The Climbing staff discusses the issue. Plus, the return of climbing competitions in a COVID-19 world, and another game of Guess That Gram.

There's a lot going on in the world today, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and now widespread protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Climbing staff got together over Skype to talk about climbing in these times. We discuss whether or not we should be climbing right now, whether or not it feels right to climb now, and what responsibilities climbers have in the face of these issues. Plus, recent climbing news including a string of notable ascents by women and a new Naked Edge speed record, plus another game of Guess That Gram.

The Climbing staff got together over Skype to discuss the latest COVID-19 news: some climbing gyms in Georgia have begun to reopen, with others likely to follow around the country in the near future. We talk about the potential merits and drawbacks, and whether or not we'll be first in line when our local gyms open their doors again. Plus, another game of Guess That Gram.

We're doing things a little differently this time. The Climbing staff members are all working from home during the COVID-19 shutdown, so we got together from a safe distance via Skype. We discuss the current situation's effects on climbing and climbers around the globe, whether it's OK to climb now, crag shaming on social media, and more.

The Climbing Magazine staff discuss climbing movies from the '90s through today. We talk about the Masters of Stone series, "bouldering porn," editor Matt Samet's own experience filming his segment in Front Range Freaks, and more. Plus, we play a game of Guess That Gram and debate whether or not Adam Ondra is having fun when he climbs 5.15d.

The Climbing Magazine staff discuss the first ascent of Too Tall to Fall (V10) on the 55-foot-tall Grandma Peabody Boulder in Bishop's Buttermilks. The problem, which was done by Canadian Miles Adamson, is the first line that's been bouldered on the bloc's slab face. The Climbing staff talk about the safety tactics employed by climbers like Adamson on such huge problems, and try to find the line that separates high balls from free solos. Also, another game of Guess That Gram.

The Climbing Magazine staff discuss three recent Nose ascents, Hazel Findlay's Magic Line redpoint, and Olympic updates, as well as Brag Gobright's tragic accident in El Potrero Chico. Plus, we share our recent achievements, and play a game of Guess That Gram.

The Climbing Magazine staff discusses the recent border wall climbing competition in the Red River Gorge, Dave Graham's repeat of Hypnotized Minds (V16), and Molly Mitchell's ascent of China Doll (5.14). Plus, we share our recent sends, favorite gear, and play a game of Guess That Gram.