Hiking, Camping & Climbing

Keshav Pradhan of The Times Of India details the rich climbing history of Mount Everest (29,029 ft)–the highest mountain in the world that attracts both well-experienced mountaineers as well as novice climbers who court disaster…

“Even the Everest disaster of 1996 hasn’t taught anyone a lesson. Because of the complete commercialisation of climbing expeditions and record-setting incentives, inefficient people sometimes chase the summit knowing fully well that in case of disaster the guides may abandon climbers to save their own life. Jon Krakauer’s book about it — Into Thin Air — refers to a single day that year, May 10, when eight people died on the mountain.”

Burlington, VT climber and Alpinist contributor Matt McCormick writes about the rich history, unheralded climbing opportunities, and dedicated crew “who, still today, continue to uncover new cliffs and envision potential for new lines” in New York’s Adirondack State Park.

“Scattered throughout the park are hundreds of crags. While some are lichen-covered chosspiles, many house some of the most beautiful rock climbs in the country. Splitter cracks stretch hundreds of feet high, rising out of dense forests and thick moss. Slabs lay low; dark roofs overhang ominously.”

photo credit: alexindigo

Jeb Admire of Backcountry Beacon offers some sage travel trips (packing, gear, clothing, security, finding meals etc.) for the upcoming summer “hostel circuit”: “If you’re staying in one location for several days, find a restaurant you like and stick with it more than once; this may sound unadventurous, but you’ll develop a rapport with the staff, sample a variety of dishes on a reliable menu, and save the time and stress of always finding a new place…”

Indian Creek crack climbing: Sacramento, CA climber Alex Honnold is “humble, reticent, and a crack climbing machine.” Watch Honnold work the world-famous walls of Indian Creek, Utah (about an hour south of Moab).

“The focus is amazing. It’s hard to describe the feeling of perfection when you solo… that you’re doing everything with precision. When I lead I can often just charge ahead. Soloing requires more.” Alpinist

Produced by Black Diamond Equipment

Backcountry Beacon offers 4 tips around “summer-ifying” old camping gear for your upcoming treks:

• Washing your sleeping bag: “Natural oils and dirt from grimy hiking pollute the down and make it lose its natural loft.”
• Rejuvenating rain jackets: “Specially formulated tech-washes are available from companies like Nikwax.”
• Tuning your stove: “Any stove with a remote fuel canister that has a pump needs to have the pump cup oiled.”
• Sealing your tent: “Seam sealing your tent is easy and permanent, and a one-ounce tube of Seam Grip is enough to seal the critical seams on most two-person tents.”

Carabiners - Sandrock, AL

John Dickerson of Slate Magazine (along with his wife) battle fear and rock-climbing with guides Eli Simon and Pete Fasoldt of the Atlantic Climbing School in Bar Harbor, Maine.

“There was nothing to stop him from plunging straight down into the rocks at the base of the cliff. My hands started to get sweaty. He knew what he was doing, right? I asked my wife quietly (I didn’t want him to hear and think I was not, you know, sturdy). I was about to say something to him when, at what must have been 50 feet (it felt like 80), he put in the first cam. I exhaled. I felt like I’d reached the top.”

photo credit: Marvin Kuo

180° South: Conquerors of the Useless: “In 1968, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins set out to surf, ski and climb their way to Patagonia. The wild places they found later motivated them to protect the environment. Inspired by this journey, Jeff Johnson and Woodshed Films set sail on a voyage to South America to climb a mythical peak called Corcovado with Chouindard and Tompkins,” as told by Fletcher Chouinard.

The journey also was chronicled in a behind the scenes book of the same name, written by Yvon Chouinard and Chris Malloy and photographed Jeff Johnson.

Produced by Woodshed Films

“In 1968, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins set out to surf, ski and climb their way to Patagonia. The wild places they found later motivated them to protect the environment. Inspired by this journey, Jeff Johnson and Woodshed Films set sail on a voyage to South America to climb a mythical peak called Corcovado with Chouindard and Tompkins,” as told by Fletcher Chouinard.

The film is entitled 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless and also is a behind the scenes book of the same name, written by Yvon Chouinard and Chris Malloy and photographed Jeff Johnson.

In this recent interview, Jeff Johnson talks to Alpinist about the inspiration and challenges behind the film: “Most climbing and surfing films go to far flung regions of the world, document the good, leave out the bad, paint a pretty picture and call it good. 180 South takes a different approach, one that might effect change, and that’s rewarding.”

David Olert of The Los Angeles Times enjoys hiking Southern California’s foothills two days before the full moon.

“The sky gradually darkened and we soon walked through a world of tall peaks, rolling hills and wide valleys illuminated by the soft ambience of the moon that shone through a cloudless sky. The trail was uphill for the first hour and then undulated over rolling hilltops before finally descending back to the valley.”

Stephen Regenold of Gear Junkie runs through the basics of mountain expedition preparation as he gears up for a trek to the Mount Everest Base Camp as part of the Expedition Hanesbrands climbing team.

“There are dozens — even hundreds — of items large and small, common and esoteric, to remember and bring along. But the bulk of the gear, apparel, and accessories for many trips are common outdoors items… Big piles with boots, base layers, packs, waterproof bags, books, and myriad small essentials are already accumulating in my house. I have two big duffel bags and a carry-on pack to cram it all in.”