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Jailhouse, California – Iron Junkie (5.12c) Joshua Enoch Williams taking a moment on a quality heel hook. -
Moab, Utah – Scarface (5.11b) Barbara Zangerl cruises up one of Indian Creek’s most classic and photogenic cracks. Due to their uniform nature, climbing the splitters of the Creek often requires an extensive rack of the same-sized cams. -
Rifle, Colorado – PMT (5.10c) Mary Mecklenburg spotted through Rifle’s spring foliage, navigating moderate, vertical terrain. -
Jailhouse, California – Iron Junkie (5.12c) Alana Murao making best use of Jailhouse’s blocky features to find a clipping stance. -
Jailhouse, California – Iron Junkie (5.12c) Shabana Ali wrestles with this steep foundational Jailhouse climb. -
Bishop, California – Seven Spanish Angels (V6) Nic Charron pulls off of the lip hueco to mantle the top of this fun problem. -
High Sierra, California – Third Pillar of Dana (5.10-) Textures of sun and rock as seen from the massif. -
High Sierra, California – Northwest Buttress of Tenaya Peak (5.5) Gabe Matson entering “night-mode” in the higher pitches of this moderate classic. Tenaya Lake down below is one of may pristine alpine lakes in the High Sierra. -
Yosemite Valley, California – The Dawn Wall (5.14d) Adam Ondra and his entourage during his legendary eight-day send of the Dawn Wall, arguably the world’s hardest bigwall route. Seeking perfect conditions to stick to the route’s tiny holds, Adam often climbed through the night. -
Red Rock, Nevada – Fear and Loathing (5.12a) Eve-Lyn Rochon working through overhanging jugs before the crux section of this popular climb. -
Hurricave, Utah – The Acivator – Joe Kinder on an undone climb that still waits for a redpoint. -
Credit: François Lebeau
If you’re looking to relax with a different kind of nature book, sit down with Climbing Rock: Vertical Explorations across North America. This monograph’s impressive environmental photographs, many taken from rock faces at great heights, span the seasons and nations of North America. It’s all seen from a climber’s perspective — climbers traversing arches in Utah, California’s Joshua Tree National Park at twilight and, of course, the glorious “El Cap” in Yosemite. A passion for the outdoors and deep appreciation of its grandeur are evident throughout, with mountaineers in helmets and bright apparel sharing their thoughts and their often spiritual feelings about the sport. “It is a deeply beautiful survey of climbing,” writes Jesse Lynch. And if the colorful climbing jargon leaves you hanging at times — words like “choss” or “kneebar” or “wag bag” — there’s a helpful glossary included. (Hint: “Wag bag” is a term taken from dog walkers.)
Climbing Rock: Vertical Explorations across North America
By François Lebeau and Jesse Lynch
272 pages, hardcover: $50.
Rizzoli New York, 2019
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline On the rock from the climber’s view.
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