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Standing there, gaping at this monstrous and inhuman spectacle of rock and cloud and sky and space, I feel a ridiculous greed and possessiveness come over me. I want to know it all, possess it all, embrace the entire scene intimately, deeply, totally, as a man desires a beautiful woman. —Ed Abbey, Desert Solitaire (Note:…

Beyonce’s Balcony by Luke Mehall

Luke Mehall’s piece Beyonce’s Balcony — from The Climbing Zine Volume 16. This piece is an excerpt from The Desert, a dirtbag climbing book.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Note: this poem is published in Volume 24, now available  Banner photo: Becky Zunigar climbing Manifestación del Yang, a 5.12+ located in the Sierra de Juarez, Mexico. Photo by Oscar Gaytan   I first went climbing When I had nothing else Back in ’98 When Eminem’s rage Was all the rage   Tied in to…

The Knot of Infinity (a poem) by Luke Mehall

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

This is the most beautiful place on Earth, but of course, like Cactus Ed Abbey said, every person carries in their heart an image of the ideal place, the right place. This is just the right place for me. But, right now, something is not right, and it’s pitch black anyways, no beauty to be…

The Desert and The Dog by Luke Mehall

Warm beers on a dirt road, a lost dog, and two climbers on the hunt, what could possibly go wrong in this Indian Creek adventure?

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

5June’s humid breath settles in waves over the Mount Washington Valley as the sun dips low in the west. A shadow Cathedral Ledge pools at the base of the real one, growing long toward the chalets and the strawberry fields as I belay my partner up behind me. The air is heavy—with evening promising little…

Biophilia On The Rocks by Birch Malotky

With Birch Malotky’s piece, “Biophilia on the Rocks,” she gently asks us to take a look around when we’re climbing to realize we share this space with many other forms of life.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

It is like any other start to a day of climbing in the Black Canyon. Dave and I are up before the sun, throwing down coffee and a quick breakfast, and assembling all the hardware needed for the day’s climb. We gently descend down the Cruise Gully, careful not to dislodge any loose rocks, with…

The Painted Wall by Luke Mehall

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

by Lucas Roman. This story is published in Volume 18. Banner photo by Hobo Greg 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,…

Brad Gobright, Pure of Heart by Lucas Roman (Full Story)

Lucas Roman’s heartfelt and whimsical tribute to the his friend, and first climbing partner, the late Brad Gobright. Published in Vol. 18.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Luke’s conversation with Sam MacIlwaine, who contributed the poem “Dirtbag” to Volume 25 of The Climbing Zine, and is also featured on the back cover of that issue. Subscribe/ score some books/clothes/stickers: https://shop.climbingzine.com/ Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email holds@kiltergrips.com for more information) Scarpa: www.scarpa.com Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ photo by Jordi Llauradó

From Tech to Tolstoy and Trad Climbing with Sam MacIlwaine

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Typical Sunday used gear peruse. Filing through overpriced  ultralights. Old green rock empire robot. Outdated, unwanted, undervalued…   “Perfect.”   This cam had chemistry, To be there for someone in the  thinnest of situations, In the wildest of areas, Attached at the hip.   Now devoid of adventure, Grown apart, Told that it’s not the…

Ass Color, Ass Cam $10 by Stefanos Apostle (a poem)

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Screams are a colorful thing. Each one has its own distinct message. An anger, a joy, a pain. The nature of each rings clear somewhere deep in our instincts. From the sound alone, you can practically see the scrunched nose and raised upper lip of a shout delivered in loud fury. Yet slightly muffled as…

Seventeen Times Alive by Dakota Walz

Dakota Walz reflects on near death experiences — climbing and otherwise — in his piece for The Climbing Zine, Volume 17, now available.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

In Memory of Towyn Williams (1926 – 2016) I associate much of my childhood with a little white farmhouse in the Welsh countryside. My roots are firmly planted there. Planted between the rows of strawberries and the tunnels of raspberry bushes. by Rhiannon Williams note: this piece is an excerpt from The Climbing Zine Book,…

A Venture Backward, Inward, and Upward by Rhiannon Williams

In Memory of Towyn Williams (1926 – 2016) I associate much of my childhood with a little white farmhouse in the Welsh countryside. My roots are firmly planted…

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

The next “Zine Thing” will be on Friday July 25th at the Gravity Lab climbing gym in Durango, Colorado. As always this is a free event featuring stories, poetry, film, and a slideshow. If you’ve got something to share please send a message to luke@climbingzine.com. Word.

Zine Thing at the Gravity Lab Climbing Gym, July 25th

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

It’s your mom’s minivan pimped out And only seats two Because if it wasn’t hard enough to live in a van It’s way harder to hook up in one   This poem is published in The Climbing Zine Book 2, now available. Banner photo by: Kristen Hughes   With a full set of seats in…

Dirtbag Paradise by Amber Roepke (a poem)

It’s your mom’s minivan pimped out And only seats two Because if it wasn’t hard enough to live in a van It’s way harder to hook up in one This poem is published…

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Is climbing as innate as sharing, copulating, greed, or even walking? Many evolutionary biologists would offer that the essence of climbing can be found in our DNA. It is hardwired into us, this desire to be in the vertical world. And beyond that desire, our bodies are built for the physical challenges of climbing. by…

Are We Born to Climb? by D Scott Borden

Is climbing as innate as sharing, copulating, greed, or even walking? Many evolutionary biologists would offer that the essence of climbing can be found in our…

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Score a Climbing Zine subscription using the discount link below. Good for 50% off your first year, and the other half is covered by an anonymous donor. We have 25 total available, with 11 left. https://shop.climbingzine.com/discount/JULYFIFTY

50% off Climbing Zine Subscription (supported by anonymous donor)

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

And as you journey into outerspace May the angels help to lead the way May the prayers that our families made Shine up on your soul to keep you safe —Scarface, “Smile”   It was a splitter summer day in Boulder, Colorado, with blue skies above and beautiful people all around. I was sitting across…

Smile, Introduction from Volume 25 by Luke Mehall

And as you journey into outerspace May the angels help to lead the way May the prayers that our families made Shine up on your soul to keep you safe —Scarface…

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Banner photo: The author on her winter project, Crystal Dawn (5.13d), Red Rocks, Nevada by Max Barlerin  Waiting for a storm to go or the sun to come, or the doubt to go or new shoes to come, or the pump to go or a move to stick, or the snow to snow or waiting…

Projecting Is Just Waiting by Brittany Goris (a poem)

It’s a poem. by Brittany Goris. Published in the zine that is the best ever to do it. Give it a read. We hope you enjoy it.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

To kick off Luke’s summer climbing road trip, he stopped in Moab, Utah for this conversation with Mary Eden, also known as the Trad Princess. Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email holds@kiltergrips.com for more information) Scarpa: www.scarpa.com Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Subscribe/ score some books/clothes/stickers: https://shop.climbingzine.com/ photo by Spencer McKay

Don’t Be A Trad Princess with Mary Eden

To kick off Luke’s summer climbing road trip, he stopped in Moab, Utah for this conversation with Mary Eden, also known as the Trad Princess.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

The reflection targets my disfigurement. If only the borders of this mirror could protect the rest of the world from my hideousness. My life’s insignificance rampages through my thoughts like an atrociously loud party that never ends. Nothing I do is good enough. I want to expunge my existence on a daily basis. Not even…

Fill The Void, a story of finding inner strength in Indian Creek

Shay Skinner’s touching piece on overcoming an eating disorder and finding a new inner strength through a random encounter in Indian Creek.

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

Acknowledging the roots and conceptualizations of the outdoor activities that we so passionately pursue enriches our participation and ties us to the land, as well as to one another. When we view our industry through a historical lens, we inevitably hear about John Muir, Sir Edmund Hillary, Royal Robbins, and other giants of outdoor recreation.…

Navajo Rising by Aaron Mike

Acknowledging the roots and conceptualizations of the outdoor activities that we so passionately pursue enriches our participation and ties us to the land…

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)

You can do it, climber girl. No matter what they say You may not be as tall You may not be as strong You may not feel as seen But you have bravery that they can never know You have a tenacity unlike anything they’ve ever seen You have heart, you have courage, and you…

Climber Girl by Kaya Lindsay

You can do it, climber girl. No matter what they say You may not be as tall You may not be as strong You may not feel as seen But you have bravery that they can…

The Climbing Zine (climbingzine.com)