La Sportiva Challenger 28 review: Sailcloth at full throttle

With the Challenger 28, La Sportiva is entering a category previously unknown to the brand: technical backpacks. I took it with me for five days of touring, including trips to the Arête des Cosmiques and alpine climbing.

News

How is artificial intelligence changing the sport of climbing?

Whether in training or route setting, for climbing gym operators or amateur athletes: We have looked at some examples of how artificial intelligence is currently shaping climbing, what might come in the future and what advantages and risks are involved.

Warming up on the rock: This is how Alexander Megos does it.

On a trip away from Bleu and Ticino, it's often just you and your project. No warm-up boulders and easy routes in sight. Professional climber Alexander Megos explained to us how best to prepare your fingers and body for such situations. He always keeps two things in his car for this purpose – a yoga mat and a fingerboard. Here he explains how he uses both.

Messner tours Germany: 23 dates between Füssen and Ingolstadt

Reinhold Messner will embark on a lecture tour starting in October: 23 dates between Füssen and Ingolstadt, four different programs. From "Nanga Parbat" to "World Mountains – The 4th Dimension". Tickets are available through Eventim.

New sole instead of a new shoe: the time to resole

The right time to get climbing shoes resoled is sooner than you might think: when there's about one millimeter of sole left. Honestly, nobody measures it, but how do I know when I should get my shoes resoled, and where can I even do that?

How to read mountain weather: These planning tips & warning signs you should know

Every mountain tour hinges on the weather conditions. We'll show you what's important when planning mountain tours to avoid dangerous situations caused by sudden weather changes or thunderstorms, and how to react correctly in an emergency.

Rätikon: Babsi Zangerl & Jacopo Larcher repeat “Déjà” (8c+) – the hardest multi-pitch ascent by a woman

With their free ascent of "Déjà" on the south face of the Kirchlispitzen, the Austrian woman and the Italian man have completed their hardest project to date in the Rätikon. It is the first time the line has ever been repeated – and probably the first time a woman has climbed a multi-pitch route graded 8c+.

First 9a+ for Leo Cea (13): “No Pain No Gain” in Rodellar

Climbing a 9a+ was Leo Cea's clear goal for 2026. The year is far from over, but the plan has already been achieved: On September 2nd, the 13-year-old German-Chilean climber completed a real endurance challenge with "No Pain No Gain" in Rodellar.

RENATURATION | Silvan Schüpbach – Trad in Wilderswil

John Thornton's film "Renaturation" follows Silvan Schüpbach to Wilderswil. There, he freed a forgotten sport climbing route from its rusty bolts and then climbed it clean. A film about style, climbing ethics, and what climbing beyond maximum difficulty can mean.

Climbing & bouldering

How is artificial intelligence changing the sport of climbing?

Whether in training or route setting, for climbing gym operators or amateur athletes: We have looked at some examples of how artificial intelligence is currently shaping climbing, what might come in the future and what advantages and risks are involved.

New sole instead of a new shoe: the time to resole

The right time to get climbing shoes resoled is sooner than you might think: when there's about one millimeter of sole left. Honestly, nobody measures it, but how do I know when I should get my shoes resoled, and where can I even do that?

How to read mountain weather: These planning tips & warning signs you should know

Every mountain tour hinges on the weather conditions. We'll show you what's important when planning mountain tours to avoid dangerous situations caused by sudden weather changes or thunderstorms, and how to react correctly in an emergency.

How is artificial intelligence changing the sport of climbing?

Whether in training or route setting, for climbing gym operators or amateur athletes: We have looked at some examples of how artificial intelligence is currently shaping climbing, what might come in the future and what advantages and risks are involved.

Climbing gym accident statistics 2025: the most frequent causes and injuries

Every year, the German Alpine Club (DAV), together with the climbing gym association KLEVER, publishes an analysis of accident data from climbing and bouldering gyms in Germany and Austria. The causes of accidents and injury patterns for the reporting year 2025 are presented at a glance.

The Rock Master 2026: Garda Trentino celebrates 40 years of climbing history

From October 2nd to 4th, 2026, the Rock Master in Arco celebrates four decades of competition history. Among those competing are Adam Ondra, Stefano Ghisolfi, Jessica Pilz, and Laura Rogora. The guest list includes Lynn Hill, Yuji Hirayama, François Legrand, and Muriel Sarkany.

The 6 best bouldering areas for summer

High altitude instead of heat wave: You won't break a sweat at these summer-friendly alpine bouldering spots, even in August.

mountaineering

Messner tours Germany: 23 dates between Füssen and Ingolstadt

Reinhold Messner will embark on a lecture tour starting in October: 23 dates between Füssen and Ingolstadt, four different programs. From "Nanga Parbat" to "World Mountains – The 4th Dimension". Tickets are available through Eventim.

How to read mountain weather: These planning tips & warning signs you should know

Every mountain tour hinges on the weather conditions. We'll show you what's important when planning mountain tours to avoid dangerous situations caused by sudden weather changes or thunderstorms, and how to react correctly in an emergency.

The Walter Bonatti Award 2026 goes to Peter Habeler

The 18th Walter Bonatti – Piolets d'Or Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Peter Habeler. The Austrian will receive the award at the end of October in Oisans, France, where the Piolets d'Or are returning after ten years.

The “Pillewizer” loses his name: Salzburg Alpine Club ends honoring glacier researcher with Nazi past

For almost 40 years, this particular ridge in the Venediger Group of the Central Eastern Alps bore the name of the cartographer and glaciologist Wolfgang Pillewizer. The Salzburg Alpine Club is now investigating his past as a member of the Nazi Party and the SA: The summit sign has been removed, and the mountain will remain nameless in the future.

Training

Warming up on the rock: This is how Alexander Megos does it.

On a trip away from Bleu and Ticino, it's often just you and your project. No warm-up boulders and easy routes in sight. Professional climber Alexander Megos explained to us how best to prepare your fingers and body for such situations. He always keeps two things in his car for this purpose – a yoga mat and a fingerboard. Here he explains how he uses both.

Half crimp, drag, sloper and more: Lattice coaches break down every grip type

Which hold type benefits you the most? How do you train slopers effectively? And how do you build the necessary strength for pockets and monos without damaging your ligaments? In a new video, lattice coaches Jen and Billy address these very questions and work their way through (almost) every hold type you'll find on rock and in the gym.
00:08:45

Progressive Overload: How to train not only harder, but smarter

Lattice Training's latest video covers a greatly underrated concept in climbing training: progressive overload. What sounds like gym jargon is actually a principle that will make you stronger.

Products

La Sportiva Challenger 28 review: Sailcloth at full throttle

With the Challenger 28, La Sportiva is entering a category previously unknown to the brand: technical backpacks. I took it with me for five days of touring, including trips to the Arête des Cosmiques and alpine climbing.

Warming up on the rock: This is how Alexander Megos does it.

On a trip away from Bleu and Ticino, it's often just you and your project. No warm-up boulders and easy routes in sight. Professional climber Alexander Megos explained to us how best to prepare your fingers and body for such situations. He always keeps two things in his car for this purpose – a yoga mat and a fingerboard. Here he explains how he uses both.

New sole instead of a new shoe: the time to resole

The right time to get climbing shoes resoled is sooner than you might think: when there's about one millimeter of sole left. Honestly, nobody measures it, but how do I know when I should get my shoes resoled, and where can I even do that?

Competition: Edelrid Ohm II in the exclusive Bergfreunde edition

Bergfreunde is turning 20! And for you, that means: a lot of climbing gear in the special Bergfreunde edition. The Ohm has been a staple in many climbing gyms for years. Edelrid has redesigned it, Bergfreunde has released a special color version for its 20th anniversary – and we're giving away three limited edition copies.

Opinions

Professional mountaineering and climate protection: a (still) uncomfortable connection

Exceptional mountaineer Kilian Jornet publishes his "carbon footprint" annually. His transparency puts him pretty much alone in the professional mountaineering scene. Why is it still so difficult to talk about the carbon footprint in professional mountaineering?

Fixexen - Will the rock face become a consumption arena?

Guest author Markus Hutter expresses his exciting and stimulating thoughts on the subject of fixexing on rock in this article.

Adam Ondra on ethical dilemmas in climbing | Video interview

Style debate: Adam Ondra on preclipping, the influence of kneepads on difficulty levels and chipping & gluing.

New ruling in the "Pitztal" case | Supreme Court confirms EIA requirement for Pitztal glacier expansion

The expansion plans for additional slopes and lifts in the Pitztal Glacier ski area must undergo an environmental impact assessment (EIA). The Austrian Alpine Club welcomes the ruling, in which the Supreme Court explicitly emphasizes the protection of glaciers and high-alpine regions.

E-touring skis: Battery-powered to the summit

A Swiss company is launching a technical solution that allows ski touring with electric support.

New climbing holds in Hachioji: Dangerous & unfair?

The international climbing association IFSC presented climbing holds in a video today that could be used for the first time in an official competition. But the handles are not well received by many. Why?

Lacrux TV

Professional mountaineering and climate protection: a (still) uncomfortable connection

Exceptional mountaineer Kilian Jornet publishes his "carbon footprint" annually. His transparency puts him pretty much alone in the professional mountaineering scene. Why is it still so difficult to talk about the carbon footprint in professional mountaineering?
00:05:06

Kilian Jornet with incredible speed record: 82 four-thousand-meter peaks in 19 days

The Spanish mountain runner and alpinist Kilian Jornet has climbed all 19 82m peaks in the Alps in 4000 days, making alpine history.
00:33:42

Can professional climbers credibly campaign for the climate?

Professional climbers as climate ambassadors: A contradiction? This is exactly the dilemma that the latest edition of Lacrux TV is about.
00:04:13

Sexual harassment and abuse of power: Serious allegations against Nirmal Purja

Serious allegations against Nepal's mountaineering shooting star Nirmal Purja. Two women accuse him of sexual harassment.
00:39:02

Crack in the Magic Wood | Municipality and IG Magic Wood in dispute

The waves are rising in the Magic Wood. We met the mayor and the president of IG Magic Wood for a discussion.

Show all

Tips

New to the climbing gym? The most important climbing and bouldering tips for beginners.

Do you want to start climbing or bouldering in 2026? We've compiled the most important tips for beginners to ensure a successful start in the climbing gym.

Big wall climbing: 50 professional tips from Fritz Miller

This article contains a colorful mix of topics,...

Mountaineering and paragliding | Information, risks, equipment tips

More and more mountaineers, alpinists, and climbers are taking up paragliding because combining the two worlds opens up entirely new horizons. In this article, we summarize what you need to know about paragliding, the risks associated with the sport, how to develop the necessary know-how for safe flights, and which equipment is best suited for your future mountain adventures.
00:21:19

Concentrated girl power and training tips from Erin McNeice and Jana Svecova

They couldn't be more different: competitive climber Erin McNeice and outdoor boulderer Jana Svecova. Lattice Training accompanied the two during their training.
00:15:37

Climbing During Pregnancy | Expert Tips from Joy Black

In this article you will receive valuable tips on how to climb safely during pregnancy and what you should pay attention to.