Climbing Tag

#BlackLivesMatter, Adventure Activism, Climbing, Diversity, National Geographic, Rock & Ice / 23.03.2014

At the young age of 14 Kai Lightner is doing amazing things in the world of sport climbing. In the spring of 2013 he ascended exceedingly difficult routes that included Southern Smoke (5.14c) and Transworld Depravity (5.14a) in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky. On the same two-week road trip he climbed Proper Soul (5.14a) in the New River Gorge of West Virginia. I wrote about him in the August/September issue of Rock & Ice magazine. And in August of last year Kai took his fourth champion title...

Climbing, Diversity, Interview, Life Out Loud, Magazines, Rock & Ice / 21.02.2014

When one of the world’s best climbers notices you, you must be doing something right. As several young climbers waited for an autograph during a February fundraiser at the Stone Summit gym in Atlanta, Chris Sharma stood intrigued, watching 13-year-old Kai Lightner smoothly lap a 5.13. Emily Taylor, Kai’s coach, recalls, "When we made the introductions, Chris asked Kai to climb with him." Kai is an exceptional young talent, with great potential. Despite a few disadvantages he has already gone far. In March 2013, Kai sent Southern Smoke (5.14c) and Transworld...

Adventure Activism, BASE Jumping, Charitable Giving, Commentary, The Give Review, Yosemite / 14.11.2013

I have a soft spot in my heart for anyone with the audacity to believe he can fly. I’m even more impressed by those who actually figure out a way to make it happen. So whenever I see one of these wonderful maniacs fall I want to do all that I can to help them get back on their feet. I’m willing to lend a hand because they’re the ones who inspire the rest of us to believe that anything is possible. My friend Ammon McNeely needs some...

Adventure Media Review, Climbing, Film Review, Life Out Loud / 04.10.2013

Like most mountaineering tragedies the horrible events that occurred on K2 in August of 2008 left behind far more questions than answers. The Summit a new documentary that hits movie theaters on October 4th puts into perspective the cumulative circumstances that led to the deaths of 11 climbers on the second highest peak in the world. Described by one survivor in the film as “a day in a million” conditions for a successful bid to the summit were indeed perfect. But after a long siege of this Himalayan giant,...

Adventure Media Review, Climbing, Film Review, Reel Rock Film Tour / 19.09.2013

[caption id="attachment_283228" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Courtesy of REEL Rock[/caption] The 8th annual REEL Rock Film Tour, which kicks off tonight in Boulder, includes stories that push beyond the state-of-the-art climbing and that showcase a historic look into the sport’s not so distant past. Sender Films adventure movie makers Josh Lowell, Peter Mortimer, and Nick Rosen will roll out four new exciting documentaries that will nurture fans’ highest aspirations to ascend big walls and high alpine summits around the world. “We always have our eye on something bigger and better. It’s a...

Adventure Media Review, Environmental Protection, Film preview, Life Out Loud, National Parks, Yosemite / 16.09.2013

The incredible artists at Camp 4 Collective feature free solo climber Alex Honnold in the first of four new videos produced to support the National Park Service. The series of short films features world-class athletes who share their life-long passion for the National Parks. Alex Honnold in Yosemite: National Parks Epic Challenge from National Park Foundation on Vimeo. The Joy Trip Project is made possible thanks to the generous support of MAKO Surgical Corp. If you experience chronic hip or knee pain it might be time for a replacement. Ask...