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Today is #InternationalMountainDay, where awareness is raised about the importance of mountains for sustainable development, water security, and biodiversity.

The theme for 2025 focuses on the critical role of glaciers in providing water, food, and livelihoods for communities around the world.

#Hiking #Climbing #Mountaineering #Mountains

We are sad to share that beloved AAC community member Charles (Chuck) Fleischman passed away in November of 2025. Chuck was a devoted member of the AAC board of directors from 2013 to 2019, and was truly a person who lived out loud. 
Chuck was a Harvard graduate who cofounded Digene Corporation, a molecular diagnostics company. Chuck’s work with Digene, as President, CFO, and director, resulted in the first FDA-approved test to detect high-risk HPV before it caused cervical cancer. 
When he semi-retired, he threw himself into supporting other meaningful work, including his board term at the AAC. With Jackson Hole as their home, Chuck and his wife Lisa wanted to make a difference in their community. So their first step, beyond membership, was giving back to the local AAC community by supporting the introduction of solar panels on Cabin 2 at the AAC’s Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch.  
As an AAC board member, Chuck was the kind to always be outspoken and always push for greatness. He was very mission driven, always pursued excellence, and held the AAC to those same standards. Phil Powers, past AAC Executive Director, remembers his tough questions, but offered always with an upbeat demeanor, as well as a gregarious laugh.  
Chuck’s commitment to the AAC was grounded in his love of the mountains and wilderness. He would ski as many days as the weather gods would allow, including more than 80 days each season, even as he was fighting off cancer. He regularly went on big ski adventures with partners like Jimmy Chin and Kit DeLauriers. Chuck was also a river rat and a committed climber, having summited El Cap, gone on expedition to K2, and floated the Grand Canyon many times. 
Chuck lived larger than life, and his impact on the AAC will be felt for years to come. Our thoughts are with Chuck’s family as they process his passing. 
“Chuck has been a career mentor but also a climbing and adventure mentor for me. He taught me not only about how to be a professional, and how to take my experience with being on the board of the Bay Area Climbers Coalition and build it into my role as an AAC board member, but he also taught me how to look for big objectives in the mountains. Being on the AAC BOD was probably the biggest summit I could have tried to climb. But he also inspired me to pursue Shasta, Whitney, and other big objectives. It was all directly a benefit of his mentorship.”

—Jen Bruursema, former AAC board member

“If I was going on a hike with Chuck, I knew it was going to be A) a great day, and B) there were going to be some hard questions to tackle along the way. I knew it meant he really just cared about the Club. He wasn’t going to let a day go by without pushing us forward.”

—Phil Powers, former Executive Director of the American Alpine Club

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On a bouldering trip to South Africa in July, the Austrian climber sent two V15s, one V14, seven V13s and eight V12s
The post Nicolai Užnik’s Sending Spree in Rocklands appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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The route follows an eye-catching wall on the famous Anića Kuk
The post Matilda Söderlund Climbs 10-Pitch 5.14b in Croatia appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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The IFSC World Cup series will be replaced with the World Climbing Series starting in 2026
The post The IFSC Has Changed Their Name to World Climbing appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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By Lithuanian artist based in Malaysia, Ernest Zacharevic @ernestzacharevic with assistance from @carottelisa at Union Square, 1 Union Wynd, Aberdeen, Scotland in June 2018 as part of @nuartaberdeen festival. Photos taken April 2025.
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'Classically trained as a painter and with a degree in fine art, Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic describes himself as “a fine artist who prefers to work on the street.”' https://www.aberdeeninspired.com/murals/artist/ernest-zacharevic
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Artist website: http://ernestzacharevic.com/
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#aberdeen #aberdeeninspired #aerosol #art #artmural #boyclimbing #climbing #ernestzacharevic #globalstreetart #insearchofstreetart #lithuanianartist #mural #muralart #nuartaberdeen #nuartfestival #parkour #publicart #Scotland #sprayart #street_art_and_graffiti #streetart #streetarteveryday #streetarteverywhere #streetartist #streetartnews #streetartphotography #streetartscotland #urbanart #wallart

«Keep it Burning ft Edu Marin» • Eternal Flame (650m, 7c+) Second Free Ascent https://youtube.com/watch?v=fUCXnLdO_GU #Climbing

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We are psyched to announce our story list for Volume 26! This will be our first ever “El Cap sized” issue – with more stories, photos, poetry, and art than ever before. Here’s a look at the list. Link here to subscribe/preorder. Cover photo by Tom Evans, back cover by Ivan Iozza   A Shadow…

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From difficult rock climbs to remote alpine objectives, Helmut von Microys was a leading climber of his generation
The post Helmut von Microys, 91, Canadian Climbing Pioneer, Dies in Ottawa appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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The 1,200-metre route has only been climbed a handful of times since the first ascent in the 1980s
The post Royal Flush on Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Gets Rare Ascent appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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The Stefano Ghisolfi route Omen Nomen is her fourth of the grade
The post Eva Hammelmüller Climbs 5.14d in Arco appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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The send is one of many noteworthy climbs by Vidi this year in the Valley
The post Pietro Vidi Climbs Yosemite’s Magic Line 5.14c Trad appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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