Saving Red

by Colette McInerney

What if your favorite climbing area was in danger of being closed forever? What would you do about it? How about getting together some of the world’s best pro climbers and have them compete to raise money and save the joint? That’s just what happened at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

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Employee Gear Closet: Matt Israel, Gearhead

by Rocky Thompson

Backcountry.com Employee gear closet of the month.

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Be Afraid

by Adam Riser

Does the slightest rustle outside your bivy cause you to recreate the tent scene from the Blair Witch Project? Find out more about what you should and should not fear next time you venture into the wild.

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Employee Gear Closet: Ben Sukow

by Adam Riser

Check out Ben’s list of favorite gear for high-altitude ski mountaineering trips.

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Learning the ropes: A guide to the lifelines of climbing

by Adam Riser

Your hand peels from the hold, and the rock in front of you becomes a blur of gray as you gain speed toward the distant ground. Now is not the time to wonder whether you’re climbing on the right rope or if it’s been taken care of properly.

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Employee Gear Closet - Peter Makowski

by Adam Riser

Go climbing with our hard-rocking Quality Analyst

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Interview with Beth Rodden & Tommy Caldwell

by Adam Riser

Beth Rodden and Tommy Caldwell are two of the most accomplished all-around rock climbers in the world. Their recent team free ascent of El Cap’s Nose route proves once again what this strong, motivated, and supportive pair of climbers can do. See what Beth and Tommy have to say about being professional climbers at the apex of the world scene.

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Gear Guru Speaks – What climbing gear do I need?

by Backcountry Bob

I have been gym climbing for a while now and am aching to get onto some real rock. I am in college and on a tight budget. What gear do I absolutely have to buy and not be restricted in my climbing?

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Employee Gear Closet - Joe Freeman

by Adam Riser

Several of our Gearheads jumped at the opportunity when Jansport offered to send one of them to Mt. Rainier for a serious gear-testing session and summit attempt. An essay contest trimmed the field to five hopefuls, and Joe Freeman came out on top. Joe moved to Salt Lake City for a short stay to check out the skiing and climbing.

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Everest — On Edge

by Greer Hitch

After summiting and skiing six of the highest summits in each continent, Kit DesLauriers tackles her 7th summit, the big one—Everest.

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Gear Closet: John Gilchrist – Retail Store

by Rob de Luca

We stalked John halfway up a multi-pitch granite slab to find out what kind of gear he uses...

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Employee Gear Closet: Luke Cudney

by Luke Cudney

Before Luke became the manager of the content department, he was a dirty rock monkey—a climbing bum, in other words. These days, when he’s not up late at the office, Cudney focuses on the less fettered pursuits of bouldering, high-ball bouldering, and soloing.

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Ice Climbing Packs

by Backcountry Bob

I am looking to buy a new pack for this up coming ice climbing season. I would like this pack to be good for ice climbing, rock climbing and a daypack.