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PHOTO GALLERIES
Please enjoy these images from the best and most active adventure photographers in the climbing world.
To submit your work, please email amanda.fox@skrammedia.com. |
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 Qingdao, China: A Bouldering Destination
Photos by Rocker - Qingdao is becoming one of the most popular bouldering areas of China. In the spring, climbers from around the world come to boulder here, including Chris Sharma, Davin Bagdonas, Joe Langwald... Davin Bagdonas said about Qingdao: "It was a huge relief to end up in a place that has amazing amounts of really good rock, a huge number of boulders, and a crew that only wants to climb. In all the places I've bouldered, by far the area in China around Qingdao has the most rock. Millions of boulders sit under hundreds of crags and tumble from multi-thousand-foot mountains down to a long rocky coast on the Yellow Sea." For more by Rocker, visit qdrocker.blog.sohu.com.  Bouldering in the Magical Forest of Sintra, Portugal
Photos by Ricardo Alves - Sintra, a world heritage site near Lisbon, is a well-known tourist attraction with beautiful castles, palaces, gardens and exotic forests. It’s also host to a near-thousand boulder problems spread throughout the forest, with incredible shapes and colors that vary from rough granite to featured sandstone. Climbing there is year-round, even in the middle of the summer because it gets cooler winds from the ocean, and the forest has its own fresh microclimate. On rest days, climbers can visit the nearby beaches of Guincho or Adraga, drop by the stunning Cabo da Roca coast area, or simple explore and enjoy the beauty of Sintra’s architectural and natural scapes.  24 Hours of Gunnison Glory
Words by Alec Solimeo / Photos by Jordan Wemett and Jarrett Luttrell - During Memorial Day weekend 2010, more than 70 climbers gathered at Hartman Rocks recreation area to participate in the second annual 24 Hours of Gunnison Glory, an event that helps raise money for Six Points (a local non-profit organization working with mentally/physically disabled adults), Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up (climbupsokidscangrowup.com) and the security of climbing in the Gunnison Valley (hopefully a Non-Profit climbing users group). Competitors climbed on more than 300 routes and problems, and one climber even made it through all 24 hours. Click here to learn more about the event.  Three New Routes in Central Range of Peru
Photos by Sophie Denis and Beto Pinto - The French-Peruvian team of Sophie Denis and Beto Pinto opened three new routes in the Central Range in Peru, located in Lima’s Region, in a single push. In a week, the team climbed the north face of Suiricocha (5,495 m, nine pitches). Then they climbed the west face of Manon Dos (5,500 m, three pitche). This was a very sensitive face to climb, mainly due to the poor snow conditions with higher risks of avalanches. They finished their expedition by climbing the west face of Vicunita (5,538 m, seven pitches). The new direct lines offer mixed walls and multi-pitches technical faces.  Ama Dablam in the Khumbu Region
Photos by Philippe Gatta - This spring, Philippe Gatta and Jean-Marc Wojcik climbed Ama Dablam (22,493 feet), one of the most amazing peaks in the Khumbu region in Nepal. The two French climbers made a fast expedition – a 16-day round trip from Katmandu. They climbed the Southwest Ridge (VI 5.9 60°, 1,500 m) without Sherpa support and in rather unstable weather. On May 3rd, after 24 hours of snow fall, they took advantage of a short weather improvement to go for the summit. They decided to go straight from the camp 2 (19,685 feet), skipping the exposed camp 3. Jean-Marc decided to turn around at 6,300 meters, and Philippe continued alone. The weather deteriorated again, and Philippe reached the top in poor visibility at 3:15 p.m., making the 3rd ascent this year. Find more info about the route and photos at Philippe's website: http://www.philippegatta.fr/amadablam2.htm  Unique Boulders in Tinos, Greece
Photos by Harald Roeker / GEBRO Verlag Publishing – Located in the Cyclades archipelago lies Tinos, a Greek island inhabited by less than 9,000 people. Famous for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, scores of windmills, and Venetian fortifications, Tinos also has incredible potential for bouldering. There are more than 500 established problems in the granite boulderfields on the island, with potential for thousands more. GEBRO Verlag (tinos.blocheart.de) provides information for anyone looking to visit. The best season for climbing is winter, but anytime from late autumn to spring provides good weather as well. The clean granite often needs no cleaning, and the boulders offer unique moves on distinctive blocs. -sm.jpg) The Surreal, Beautiful Buttermilks
Photos by Devlin Gandh - It's almost June, and that means the good temps in California are disappearing fast. Though we do have sunny weather, it isn't always the most conducive for climbing. With that in mind, it's no surprise to see a flurry of Bishop photos this time of year. This past season has been one of the most memorable in recent years, with Paul Robinson's new V16, Lucid Dreaming, second and third ascents of Ambrosia, and a surprise appearance by Chris Sharma (I'm pretty sure he warmed up doing Evilution to the lip [V10]). But the real joy of climbing in Bishop comes from the personal experience — the Buttermilks are a surreal, beautiful boulderfield. And that, with the immaculate weather, sunrises, and sunsets of the Sierra Nevada, lingers on well past the experience. -sm.jpg) Spring Break in Bishop
Photos by Alton Richardson - There is really only one thought that enters most California climbers' minds when spring break rolls around: Bishop. This last April, along with hundreds of other pad people, five climbers from the East Bay Area packed up and made the journey through the mountains to the East Side. We arrived in the Buttermilks for an extended weekend of hard crimping, committing topouts, gale force winds, and good times. Bishop has and always will be a special place for anyone who loves great rock and great landscapes. There is a lifetime of climbing possibilities to be had there, and no one person could experience everything there is to be climbed in a single lifetime.  Dallas Rocks SCS Comp 2010
Photos by Joshua King - Over 100 competitors filled Dallas Rocks on Saturday, April 17, in Dallas, Texas. The gym, known primarily for its bouldering, is the smallest SCS venue for the Texas/Louisiana region and had the biggest turnout for any local competition of the season. Many familiar faces were seen, with representatives from Carrollton's Team Texas, Houston's Stone Moves, Austin's Team ARG and Dallas Rocks' own Southern Rocks. For full results, click here.  Joe's Valley 2010
Photos by Cole Benoit - An early spring trip to the sandstone mecca of Utah bouldering, Joe's Valley seemed a necessity as the spring conditions back home in Squamish generally yield some seriously soggy climbing. Lured by the tales of fantastic problems, stellar friction, and good weather, Derek Runions and I headed south on an epic road trip where we met up with fellow Evolv climbers and our guides for the trip, Paul Nadler and Kendra Lloyd-Knox.  The Road Less Traveled
Photos by Mel Sweet and Devin Hess / Unbound Exposure - As I viewed the sun rising over Owens Valley for the first time, I knew I would never be the same. The Eastern Sierras captured my heart as they have so many before. Devin and I started out in the classics climbing Owens River Gorge and the Buttermilks. From the Alabama Hills to the Druid Stones, climbing gear routes in the Buttermilks to a quiet day in the Happys, from exhausting your body to recovering in hot springs, the Eastern Sierras have so much more to offer for those who are willing to wander off course.  Bouldering at Annot and Verdon, France
Photos by Claudia Colonia - The poularity of Annot, France, has increased in recent years due to the growing interest in bouldering. Among the trees, in a very quite and relaxing forest, there are countless lines of every level. These photos are taken from the sectors Les Météors, Le Bestaire, and Le Clemenceau. Notice how the "Grès" assume very peculiar shapes with a lot of differently sized holes. Verdon, France, has amazing, breathtaking, and incredibly vertical walls. It's incredible how even on a cloudy and windy day, the chance to walk along the river down to the walls, and to admire the last rays of sunshine illuminating their historical lines, is an experience that makes you feel like you're in a magical place. I took these photos from the charming Rive Gauche. You won't get tired of admiring these incredible walls. -sm.jpg) Addicted to Smith Rock
Photos by Tara Reynvaan - The Smith Rock Program can be similar to the 5-step program in a drug and alcohol rehab sans the medication (unless you consider Hamms medication). Living in Bend, Oregon, I am honored with the opportunity to live 30 minutes away from one of the most epic sport climbing crags in the United States. Blood, sweat, and a solitary tear of joy pretty much sums up the overwhelming feeling of home that I get at Smith. This is an album full of climbing by friends and climbing partners Jesper Hilts, Fred Gomez, Heather Whales, Darren Benton and others. Live it up. -sm.jpg) Climbing at Owens River Gorge and Red Rocks
Photos by Tara Reynvaan - This spring break, I am almost certain that the entire state of Oregon went to Bishop, California. It was so awesome to see so many friendly faces on my last climbing trip to Owens River Gorge and Red Rocks, Nevada. With prime conditions and amazing rock, this was a really inspiring week with great company. We took a Sienna minivan that turned into our road warrior through the desert as we did everything from rock grappling to spooning Joshua Trees. These photos are what I collected from the trip of friends and climbing partners Jesper Hilts, Fred Gomez, Heather Whales killing it in California and Nevada.  Roadtripping the Northwest
Photos by Andy Mann – Last summer, Jonathan Siegrist and I hit the road hard. The goal was to head Northwest, a trip that would take us from Colorado to Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and into Washington, hitting up as many crags as possible in two weeks. This turned into a roadtrip that would lead us into hotter temps and more humidity than we left behind. Still, conditions aside, Jstar and I are always bright and bon-vivant, and we took to every adventure as if it were our last. Enjoy the ride with us, visually, across the plains and into the Northwest, for a wild climbing adventure. |
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