Keyword: climb

Professional mountaineer, mountain guide and physiotherapist Michi Wohlleben, in collaboration with LACRUX, refreshes the various techniques for multi-pitch climbing – from material selection to belay station construction to rappelling.

On August 13th, French climber Soline Kentzel achieved the first female free ascent of "La Darbellay" on the Petit Clocher du Portalet (2985 m). She climbed the historic trad multi-pitch route, with crux sections in the 8a and 7c+ range, in a single day.

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.

Polish climber Aleksandra "Ola" Taistra free-soloed the 200-meter multi-pitch route "Alfredo Alfredo" on Monte Oddeu in Sardinia on May 3rd. In terms of difficulty, the ascent ranks among the hardest known free solo climbs by a woman. However, the climber doesn't place much importance on rankings.

Six years after her first – and supposedly last – visit, Katherine Choong successfully completed the redpoint ascent of "Yeah Man" (8b+) on the north face of the Grand Pfad on July 27th. The Swiss climber completed the nine pitches in one day, leading all of them in the eighth grade.

On July 20, 2026, Italian climber Giovanni Placci flashed "The Famous Gem" (9a) in La Saume, France – the hardest flash ascent of his career to date and a significant moment for Italian sport climbing. This success marked the end of an extraordinary series of difficult ascents in the Briançon area.

Arc'teryx's new sport climbing harness weighs almost nothing, has only two gear loops, and a waist belt that's just two millimeters thick. Our editor Gwen tested it together with professional athlete Lara Neumeier while sport climbing in Switzerland.

Italian climber Giovanni Placci delivers an outstanding performance in Entraygues (France): Within two days he completes three difficult routes – including a rare flash of “San Ku Kai” (8c+).