Why Adam Ondra downgrades “Exodia” from 9A+ to 9A

Adam Ondra has achieved the first repeat of Elias Iagnemma's "Exodia" (9A+) in Val Pellice, Italy. The exceptional Czech climber considers the grade 9A more appropriate – likely also because he only needed four days for the route, compared to 212 days for the first ascensionists.

News

When mountaineering loses its foundation

Crumbling rock, closed paths: Read here from mountain guide Christof Schellhammer how climate change is changing mountaineering.

Lara Neumeier becomes the first woman to climb “Rhapsody” (8c+, E11 Trad)

Renowned big-wall climber Lara Neumeier became the first woman to complete "Rhapsody" (E11 7a, 8c+) at Dumbarton Rock in Scotland on October 7th. Dave MacLeod's route, established in 2006, was the world's first E11 and is still considered a test piece in trad climbing 20 years later.

Petzl crampons tested: Leopard, Leopard Hybrid and Dart – the right crampon for every application

I've been a loyal Petzl crampon user for several years now. Whether on ski mountaineering tours, classic alpine tours, or ice climbing – the various models have always reliably accompanied me. So I was all the more excited about the new 2026 generation of crampons with the Leopard, Leopard Hybrid, and Dart models.

Gold for Israel and France at the last Boulder World Cup of the season in Salt Lake City

At the Boulder World Cup in Salt Lake City, newcomer Yonatan Katz surprisingly won gold for Team Israel in his first final. In the women's competition, Oriane Bertone finally won her first World Cup of the season. All the results from the weekend and the final overall ranking are summarized below.

Alpine Club takes stock: Hut summer season again in positive territory

The Austrian Alpine Club's mountain huts are heading for another increase in overnight stays after the record year of 2025. However, the results of the 2026 hut season also show that drought, cancellations, and no-shows remain challenges.

9c – These are the hardest sport climbing routes in the world

In sport climbing, the difficulty grade 9c (5.15d) represents the absolute pinnacle of human performance on rock. Worldwide, there are currently only five routes rated at this grade – Jakob Schubert repeated the first of them last week with "DNA". Who is currently part of the 9c club, and who is trying to secure a place in this elite group?

Gotthard Pass: Mei Kotake becomes the tenth woman to climb 8C.

The 29-year-old is the second Japanese woman to successfully complete a bouldering problem of this difficulty level. Who are the other women in the 8C club?

Last Boulder World Cup of the season in Salt Lake City | Info & Livestream

From October 16th to 18th, the bouldering elite will gather in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the season finale. Who will claim the final title of the season and the overall victory? Find all the information on the current rankings, the starting field, the program, and the live stream.

Climbing & bouldering

Lara Neumeier becomes the first woman to climb “Rhapsody” (8c+, E11 Trad)

Renowned big-wall climber Lara Neumeier became the first woman to complete "Rhapsody" (E11 7a, 8c+) at Dumbarton Rock in Scotland on October 7th. Dave MacLeod's route, established in 2006, was the world's first E11 and is still considered a test piece in trad climbing 20 years later.

9c – These are the hardest sport climbing routes in the world

In sport climbing, the difficulty grade 9c (5.15d) represents the absolute pinnacle of human performance on rock. Worldwide, there are currently only five routes rated at this grade – Jakob Schubert repeated the first of them last week with "DNA". Who is currently part of the 9c club, and who is trying to secure a place in this elite group?

Jakob Schubert repeats “DNA” – the first confirmed 9c in climbing history

Around 180.000 spectators watched as the Tyrolean climber clipped the anchor of Seb Bouin's "DNA" in the Verdon Gorge. With his live ascent, Schubert created a climbing moment that will go down in history – as the first repeat of a 9c route, currently the highest grade in sport climbing.

Why Adam Ondra downgrades “Exodia” from 9A+ to 9A

Adam Ondra has achieved the first repeat of Elias Iagnemma's "Exodia" (9A+) in Val Pellice, Italy. The exceptional Czech climber considers the grade 9A more appropriate – likely also because he only needed four days for the route, compared to 212 days for the first ascensionists.

Gold for Israel and France at the last Boulder World Cup of the season in Salt Lake City

At the Boulder World Cup in Salt Lake City, newcomer Yonatan Katz surprisingly won gold for Team Israel in his first final. In the women's competition, Oriane Bertone finally won her first World Cup of the season. All the results from the weekend and the final overall ranking are summarized below.

Gotthard Pass: Mei Kotake becomes the tenth woman to climb 8C.

The 29-year-old is the second Japanese woman to successfully complete a bouldering problem of this difficulty level. Who are the other women in the 8C club?

Last Boulder World Cup of the season in Salt Lake City | Info & Livestream

From October 16th to 18th, the bouldering elite will gather in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the season finale. Who will claim the final title of the season and the overall victory? Find all the information on the current rankings, the starting field, the program, and the live stream.

mountaineering

When mountaineering loses its foundation

Crumbling rock, closed paths: Read here from mountain guide Christof Schellhammer how climate change is changing mountaineering.

Petzl crampons tested: Leopard, Leopard Hybrid and Dart – the right crampon for every application

I've been a loyal Petzl crampon user for several years now. Whether on ski mountaineering tours, classic alpine tours, or ice climbing – the various models have always reliably accompanied me. So I was all the more excited about the new 2026 generation of crampons with the Leopard, Leopard Hybrid, and Dart models.

European Outdoor Film Tour 2026/27 | All films & dates starting on October 12th

The European Outdoor Film Tour returns for its 25th anniversary with a brand-new film program. The premiere is on October 12th at the Deutsches Theater in Munich – after which many stops are planned throughout Europe. See all films and dates at a glance.

CAMP recall: Affects the screws and nuts on the X-DREAM, X-DREAM TOTAL DRY and X-ALL MOUNTAIN ice tools

CAMP informs that the screws connecting the shaft and axe head of the X-DREAM, X-DREAM TOTAL DRY and X-ALL MOUNTAIN ice tools have partially come loose; this affects products manufactured after October 2024.

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

Petzl crampons tested: Leopard, Leopard Hybrid and Dart – the right crampon for every application

I've been a loyal Petzl crampon user for several years now. Whether on ski mountaineering tours, classic alpine tours, or ice climbing – the various models have always reliably accompanied me. So I was all the more excited about the new 2026 generation of crampons with the Leopard, Leopard Hybrid, and Dart models.

Scarpa BLACKBIRD: Carbon midsole for the smallest lasts

Scarpa spent six years developing their new climbing shoe. At its heart is the Italian company's first carbon-reinforced midsole – built for precision on the smallest footholds, without the shoe needing to fit brutally tightly.

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.

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?

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.

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 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.

Fabric softener for climbing: The Clipstick

Opinion article: Markus Hutter is convinced that clipsticks have contributed massively to the dilution of ethics in climbing.

«What Harila does is announcement mountaineering at its finest»

With the establishment of mountain tourism on most of the eight-thousanders and all of the Seven Summits plus a few other mountains, the required alpinistic skills have been reduced to almost zero. By alpine skills I mean independent climbing, acting and making decisions on the mountain. Everything that used to be required on these mountains has now largely become superfluous thanks to the technical infrastructure on the mountain. It is enough if you learn to walk with crampons in the base camp and to attach yourself correctly to the fixed rope.

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.