Mark Cobb reflects on the differences between being able to climb something and not being able to climb something: the subtle variations in technique, tactics and the shifts in mindset that ultimately make all the difference... That feeling. Excitement, a touch of fear, the surge of adrenaline. The anticipation has been growing since yesterday. Spreading out from my thoughts, tracing...

IFSC commentator and EpicTV presenter Matt Groom writes about travelling to Ukraine during the Russian invasion to make the documentary 'Climbing Never Die' for the current Reel Rock 18 film tour. On the journey to Kyiv by train, I shared a cabin with a bearded bear of a man who spoke very little English. I woke up to find him...

Danny Vagnozzi interviews Belgian big-waller, social worker and all-round adventure athlete Siebe Vanhee following his role in the Belgian-American team that made the first free ascent of Riders on the Storm in February. They discussed his key climbs and his passion for finding purpose in climbing beyond the 'uselessness' of personal objectives. Siebe Vanhee needs no introduction to those following...

In the hazy, distant past before the current pandemic, a team of Brits enjoyed their own form of isolation in a remote valley in central Patagonia. In January 2020, Simon Smith, Alasdair Fulton, Graham Dawson and Rob Lovell travelled to the Sierra de los Avellanos in the Aysn region of southern Chile. Their main objective was the 900m east face...

Niall Grimes writes about Crispin Waddy's recent ascent of Master's Edge E7 6c at Millstone and how watching friends on the route brought back memories of his own experience on the intimidating arte in the '90s... His breathing has quickened, the previous moves making him draw breath hard from the chest. Fighting with criss-crossed feet he gets stood in the...

Anna Fleming concludes the Herstory series by examining the growing number of female qualification holders and outdoor professionals and what work still has to be done to achieve a better balance. The Herstory articles have uncovered the hidden history of women's mountaineering and climbing, from the early ladies who chased up British peaks in the 1700s, to the forgotten women...

2023 was a another eventful year in the climbing world. From hard trad, boulder and sport ascents to Olympic selection and alpine-style climbs on remote Himalayan north faces, there's been plenty to report on and to provide inspiration for all. Here are our top significant (and memorable) ascents of the year (in no particular order). Adam Ondra flashes The Ace...