Breaking News: Honnold Solos 5.13
We at The SEND are dialed in, and our inside operatives in Yosemite Valley are confirming for us that National Geographic cover boy Alex Honnold has free soloed The Phoenix (5.13). The Phoenix was the first 5.13 and was established by Ray Jardine back in like the 1800′s. True story. Honnold rapped in and then [...]
The 2011 Valley Season is Officially ON!
Hoh man, he’s back. Our man on the scene, Tom Evans, is back with the one and only El Cap Report. When Tom starts reporting, the monkeys start sending. Things are looking a little bit cool and wet in the valley so far, but rest assured big things will be happening soon. Stay tuned to [...]
Sad News – R.I.P. Kurt Albert
Sad news today on the climbing front. The man, the myth, the legend – Kurt Albert – has passed on. Kurt fell 18 meters from a via ferrata in Bavaria, Germany. Kurt was 56. Kurt was a BAD ASS. Here’s an old flick of Kurt and Wolfgang Gullich crushing in Yosemite. Kurt Albert -significant ascents [...]
Alex and The Crucifix
Back in June we reported that Alex Honnold had free-soloed The Crucifix – a 5.12 route on Yosemite’s Higher Cathedral. Well, Alex has finally done a little write up about it for La Sportiva. Read about it. The Obligatory disclaimer from Alex: “I was told to add a disclaimer to this essay, so that no [...]
New Dirtbag Diaries
The latest Dirtbag Diaries from Fitz Cahall takes us deep into the headquarters of the Yosemite free climbing scene – the Lodge Cafeteria. James Lucas narrates his wisdom gained from encounters with Surfer Bob, Platinum Rob and Magoo. This one could be subtitled – “How to be a Hardman.” Check it: The Dirtbag Diaries – [...]
Breaking News Update: Honnold Solos The Crucifix in Yosemite
This just in: Alex Honnold of Sacramento, CA has completed a free solo of The Crucifix. This 1000′ route is located on Yosemite’s Higher Cathedral and checks in at a hard-man affirming 5.12b. Alex had been in the Valley whittling away at the Nose speed climbing record with Uli Steck when the 2 headed over [...]
Dean Potter: Falling to Fly
Dean Potter is characterized by creativity, commitment and challenge. He started climbing as a child, with a free solo fall from a stone wall as one of his earliest memories. Since that time, he has speed soloed Half Dome and El Capitan, Cerro Torre, and Fitzroy. He was the first to make a one-day free [...]
El Cap Report
Surely most of you are aware of the climbing Mecca that is Yosemite and Vertical Ventures‘ upcoming trip there, but were you aware that you could stay abreast of the daily happenings on El Cap? We’re talking full on spray down here – bails, sends, whips, cheatsticks, one days, multi-days – EVERYTHING. Our man on [...]
Yosemite Climbing Trip!
Back by popular demand, dates for the Vertical Ventures 2010 Yosemite Climbing Trip have been announced: July 13 – July 19. Come climb with us in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. All ability levels welcome. Share this post:
Border Country
“Sometimes a mountain is just a mountain, sometimes a climb is just a climb. Sometimes it’s more than that…” Border Country, a film by the talented artist Jeremy Collins, chronicles not only the birth and life of a new route in Yosemite, but also the lives and inspirations of our late brothers Micah Dash and [...]
Tommy Caldwell on Mt Watkins
Chris McNamara of Supertopo.com recently teamed up with Tommy Caldwell on an ascent of Yosemite’s Mt. Watkins. Tommy is done with his Mescalito project for the season and wanted to get on something else. What played out next was a damn near onsight of this lesser known valley classic. Check out the trip report or [...]
Retro Night , Shoe demo and Yosemite Slideshow!
Stop by Vertical Ventures for an awesome evening of bright tights, short shorts, tall socks and loud music. Kurt Smith will be hosting his Old School Yosemite Slideshow from 7 – 8pm, followed by an Evolv Shoe Demo from 8 – 10:30. ALL EVOLV SHOES WILL BE 20% OFF ON FRIDAY NIGHT! Wear your brightest [...]
El Cap Free Climbing Mega-Project!
I’m sure by now most climbers have heard about Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson’s attempts to free climb Mescalito – a proud line straight up the tallest and steepest section of El Capitan. This climb is difficult for most aid climbers to get up, let alone free climbing many many many pitches in a row [...]
This Week on Cribs…
We take a journey half way up El Cap to the palacial domicile of Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson. These two kindly take a break from their attempts at freeing Mescalito to show us around their little slice of heaven. Share this post:
Jedi Mind Control
Now, we at Vertical Ventures do not condone climbing rocks without a rope, but Alex Honnold is 100% unfiltered pure badass. Alex is one of those people whom are genuinely interested in what you are doing and generally quiet about what they are doing. He lets his actions do the talking screaming. We had the [...]
