It can seem like the barriers to getting into rock climbing can be more daunting than scaling a crag itself. As well finding a partner and learning the various techniques, there's all the kit you need ...

Rock climbing naturally brings out the gear geek in all of us. The equipment itself is just plain sexy—and as sport-specific and downright essential as it gets. If you rock climb, or aspire to, you ...

Nothing like heavy metal and heavy ropes stuffed into a pack to make you wish you d taken up light-packing instead of rock climbing. Who gets to carry the 200-footer? Maybe it s better to take two 160 ...

Inspired by two decades of outdoor rock climbing, Arris Composites’ (Berkeley, Calif., U.S.) co-founder and chief engineer, Erick Davidson, sought to develop cams — trad protection designed to be ...

Among my friends, I’m the de facto outdoor-gear guy. And for years, they’ve consulted me for climbing-gear recommendations, especially if they’re new to the sport and have no idea where to start. I’ve ...

A rock climber climbs Smith Rock on May 16, 2020. Federal proposals to gear used in parks would only apply to national parks directly, not state parks like Smith Rock. However, some climbers worry ...

The style choice of not wearing socks—or going “commando,” raw doggin’ it, etc.—in rock shoes is, like the jellyfish haircut, a recent phenomenon. When I started climbing in 1973, almost everyone wore ...