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I started listening to the Grateful Dead a week before Jerry Garcia died. The year was 1995 and it happened as it always happened then: a friend played me some Dead tunes, and then I made a tape recording of the ones I liked.  I played Uncle John’s Band, over and over again, entranced by… https://climbingzine.com/unbroken-chain-a-letter-for-phil-lesh-by-luke-mehall/

In the rich caravan of climbers whom we meet at the crags, people come and go. Some, like the flowing of mountain streams, make a daily ritual of their appearance on the stone. Others show up every weekend, while outliers make the scene only once a month, or less. Climbers who’ve shared the bonds of… https://climbingzine.com/rays-red-truck-by-roy-mcclenahan/

“I climb my best 4,000 feet off the ground” – Alex Honnold. Luke Mehall + Alex Honnold in dirtbag state of mind. https://climbingzine.com/untroubled-with-alex-honnold/

open jug filled by authentic rubber and stretched leather laces of Velcro rooted in gravity toward the edge of rock then toward inverted air the body of a bat hangs weightless cemented in time where wingspan takes flight, autopilot into nocturnal sleep for seconds as blood rushes to the start of a dream and your… https://climbingzine.com/bat-hang-a-poem-by-lex-abbruscato/

Brad Gobright is pure of heart. So pure, in fact, that he may never have faced a dilemma in all his life. That’s not exactly serving him well right now, as he’s stuck in a pickle of his own making, at the top of the first pitch of Southern California’s gem climb, The Vampire. He’s… https://climbingzine.com/brad-gobright-pure-of-heart-part-1-by-lucas-roman/

We are 234 subscribers away from reaching our goal for our “Keep The Zine Alive” campaign. Subscribe here, Volume 25 is in the final stages of editing and goes to the printer later this month. https://shop.climbingzine.com/ https://climbingzine.com/keep-the-zine-alive-we-need-234-more-subscribers-to-meet-our-goal/

New “Send Your Face” hoodies are now available to order. Design by Mike Handzlik https://climbingzine.com/send-your-face-hoodies/

I love being challenged by the nature that has been sculpting the rock faces of our planet for many centuries. Nature is the most superior routesetter, and I believe that even for contemporary routesetters in the climbing gyms, nature is the source of their primary inspiration. But just like routesetters in the gym, nature doesn’t… https://climbingzine.com/to-chip-or-not-to-chip-by-adam-ondra/

I am a writer, too, kinda. I am also writing a novel. I’m working on a novel. I also write. I’ve been working on this novel.   These were the phrases always trotted out when I had a desk job and never had the mental state or time to write. For years, I had countless… https://climbingzine.com/why-climbers-should-write-and-writers-should-climb-by-cyrena-lee/

Score 400 pages of reading material + three dope stickers for $40 NEW Bundle Sale Volumes 21 – 24 https://climbingzine.com/new-sale-bundle-volumes-21-24-for-40/

I hold and turn my helmet like a classroom globe, dragging my fingers over each mark, each sign of wear. Every indent, every groove represents a route, a pitch, a move, a memory. Note: this piece is published in the new Zine, Volume 17, now available to order. In my hands is my beaten-up shield.… https://climbingzine.com/my-helmet-by-david-rozul/

Story/poetry list for our upcoming Zine, due out later this fall. Big congratulations to all the writers. Due to the high volume of material we are sent for consideration only 1-2% of the pieces we are submitted are eventually published in The Climbing Zine! You can preorder/subscribe here.  Dirtbag by Sam McIlwaine Words for Aaron… https://climbingzine.com/volume-25-story-list-now-available/

Well here we are, old bolt; let me just say this before I remove you. You should be proud because great care was taken when you were placed. Questions were asked, such as: Was this the best spot for you? Was there any place for passive pro? Would you be chopped? Would the coming onslaught… https://climbingzine.com/giving-bolt-ode-bolt-jimmy-keithley/

And so castles made of sand Fall into the sea eventually —Jimi Hendrix, “Castles Made of Sand”  “Did you hear the Crooked Arrow Spire fell down?” my buddy, Ben Kiessel, asked me.  Another one bites the dust, I thought. I used to be surprised when I heard a climb or a major section of a… https://climbingzine.com/climbs-fall-apart-by-luke-mehall-an-excerpt/

We pride ourselves on independent distribution. Below is a list of our beloved retailers where you can find our zines, books, and merchandise. Don’t see your favorite shop/bookstore/gym on this list? Give us an email at luke@climbingzine.com or check out our online store.  (Banner photo by Jake Burchmore) Arizona: Bright Side Bookshop (Flagstaff) California  Bear… https://climbingzine.com/where-to-find-the-climbing-zine-independent-outlets/

Trigger Warning This article discusses self-harm.   “Look at my hands!” I hold my blistered and scabbed knuckles out to my friend Alison. She isn’t as impressed as I hoped she’d be.   It is 2017, and it’s my first week of trad climbing. I’m in Yosemite Valley, and until recently, I’ve always had the… https://climbingzine.com/from-self-harm-to-self-love-by-kaya-lindsay/

Score both Zine Books + Volumes 14 – 23 on sale for $79.99. That’s 1400 pages of reading material. Shop: https://shop.climbingzine.com/products/new https://climbingzine.com/1400-page-bundle-on-sale-for-79-99/

Walking up to the base of Freerider, I felt rested, light, but increasingly nervous. Two years ago, I’d never climbed a single big wall. Seven months ago, I’d never rope soloed a single pitch of climbing. I’d still never soloed a big wall in any way, shape, or form: aid, free, French free. Yet here… https://climbingzine.com/first-solo-free-in-a-day-el-capitan/

There are climbing partners, and there are the climbing partners. The partner you want to climb to the ends of the Earth and back with. The one you’d follow all the way to the moon. The one who eats, drinks, and breathes climbing. The climber who is not only skilled but also a student of… https://climbingzine.com/replacing-the-seamstress-corner-with-dave-marcinowski-by-luke-mehall/

Then, when all seemed like peace had been restored to my existence, 9/11 happened. I was out on a morning jog, something I’d added to my climbing training, and I was listening to the radio on my Walkman. The song on the radio was interrupted: the United States had been attacked, and the first World… https://climbingzine.com/hope-excerpt-american-climber-luke-mehall/