In This Issue

Read the editorial and explore the latest issue—packed with fresh news coverage, expert training advice, in-depth gear reviews, celebrity features, hands-on technical tips, event reports, and stunning photography, all wrapped up in captivating articles. Read now Editorial Why do you climb? “Why do you climb those vertical rock walls? Do you have a death wish?”I …

For those who’ve read Maurice Herzog’s Annapurna, you’ll understand why Warren Eva and I had long dreamed of climbing Annapurna I. But you’ll also understand why so few attempt it. Despite being the first 8000er climbed, it remains one of the most dangerous, with a reputation for avalanches and treacherous conditions. After summiting K2 in 2022, …

By Tristan van der Merwe My first glimpse of the Colosseum came courtesy of the Yellowwood Amphitheatre guidebook, which made a passing reference to a neighbouring “orange ‘sport’ amphitheater”. The description lodged in my mind, and on every drive to Yellowwood, I kept watch. Sure enough, several kilometres after emerging from the Huguenot Tunnel on …

By Frederik and Katharien Bakker Every morning I make coffee for my wife, Katharien, in our house in Johannesdal. While the Bialetti brews, I look across the valley to the Drakenstein Mountains. These days they’re not so famous for climbing – the rock is dubious – yet they pull at you in a way that’s …

Read the editorial and explore the latest issue—packed with fresh news coverage, expert training advice, in-depth gear reviews, celebrity features, hands-on technical tips, event reports, and stunning photography, all wrapped up in captivating articles. Read now Editorial Alone and ropeless – calculated feat or sheer madness? Every now and then free-solo climbing is brought to …

By Richard Halsey Pic by Wesley Antonites “Kyrgyzstan?. . . Where’s that?”“Isn’t that where Tommy Caldwell and Beth Roddengot shot at by rebels?” These were common queries about our foray to the granite slab-lands of Central Asia. But our tale may (or may not) reveal answers to more pressing questions. How much can you shiver …

By Dëon van Zyl It all started in 2019. I had already been living in Mossel Bay for a year and I was gradually transitioning from being a trad climber to becoming a sport climber. The reality had hit home that it was a long way to travel to Cape Town or the Cederberg for …

By Brad Inggs Photo by Brendan Kuhnert The Black Diamond Tradathon is an annual celebration of traditional climbing (trad) held at a different venue each year, and as such is a roving festival. Organised and run by Simon Larsen of RAM Mountaineering, the Tradathon was started in 2012. Simon’s vision is to foster a sense …

Read the editorial and check out the contents of the latest issue. With up-to-date news coverage, training articles, gear reviews, celebrity profiles, technical tips covering a wide variety of subjects, event reports, big glossy pics and enthralling articles. Read online Editorial CLIMBING – WHO’S IN CONTROL? What is climbing? I mean, what does climbing mean …

words By Dave Barnespic by Simon Carter Tasmania is a weird place, akin to Jurassic Park with weird animals, psychotic weather, dark forests, and mountains that look like dinosaurs waiting to pop out from behind the peaks to eat you. Then there are the sea cliffs, giant escarpments of dolerite and granite that have stood …