Stories: Rock Climbing
Mountain adventures create the best stories, and we want to share some of ours with you. Dive into Alpenglow Stories to stay up to date on expeditions in the field, read blogs, and get tips and tricks from guides.
Episode 27 with Beth Rodden: 30 Years of Climbing with 30 Years To Go
Beth Rodden is an American Rock Climber who has been at the top of the sport for decades. After getting her start in competition climbing, Beth moved her focus the outdoors, and is known for both hard single pitch climbs and technical big wall climbing. Beth has also been an advocate for women in climbing and has been outspoken about her struggles with an eating disorder early in her career.
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Rock On! Get Your Tahoe Kids Climbing This Summer
Looking for kids climbing in Tahoe? Alpenglow Expeditions offers summer camps, drop-in days, and family climbing on the Via Ferrata and Donner Summit — perfect for kids to build skills and confidence.
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Returning to Carstensz Pyramid: A Rare Opportunity for Rock Climbers
With steep limestone faces, a Tyrolean traverse near the summit, and big exposure, this peak is a serious test for climbers looking to push their limits. And with Alpenglow’s heli-assisted approach, we’re maximizing time on the wall and minimizing the jungle slog.
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Episode 18 with Tommy Caldwell: Yosemite Comfort or Expedition Sufferfest
Yosemite Valley legend Tommy Caldwell joins Sam and Adrian on Episode 18 of the Duffel Shuffle Podcast. Tommy talks about this season in Yosemite Valley, and why moving his family to South Lake Tahoe has changed how he’s able to climb in the valley. He also talks about his recent film, The Devil’s Climb, which covers his recent trip to climb the Devils Thumb in Alaska with Alex Honnold. Tommy admits that his true passion in climbing is the sufferfest expeditions, but really he just loves climbing regardless of what it entails.
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Climb and Grow: Why Alpenglow Expedition’s Rock Climbing Camp is the Ultimate Adventure for Kids
While we’re psyched for all this new snow, many of the sun-loving High Sierra rock climbers around Alpenglow are already dreaming of long summer days on pristine granite. Many of these folks are “lifers,” or have been climbing for so long that it’s now a fundamental part of their existence. Some started in college, while others were scrambling up rocks before they could even walk. Climbing is a provider of life lessons, an honest form of tough love, and proof that you can do hard things. It’s also a natural instinct for kids.
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Episode 10: Alex Honnold, Professional Climber
Alex Honnold makes a special appearance on The Duffel Shuffle Podcast. Sam and Adrian chat with Alex about his motivations in climbing, why he’s decided high altitude climbing isn’t for him, and what his future goals are now that he’s a father to two.
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Episode 09: Emily Harrington – The Olympic Dream
Emily Harrington joins Sam and Adrian to talk all things Olympics. Emily, who herself participated in an exhibition event in 2006 at the Winter Olympics, has followed the growth and expansion of competition climbing for more than 2 decades. From the early days of the World Cup circuit in which Emily competed to the addition of climbing in the Olympics in which Emily has followed as a fan, competition climbing is exploding in popularity. Emily’s perspective as an athlete provides invaluable insight into the sport.
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Obscure Classics in the High Sierra
One of my favorite mountain adventures is hunting the “obscure classic”: climbs that are just as good as the best in the range, but for whatever reason never got popular. Maybe they were put up recently and haven’t gained significant attention yet; maybe they’re a little out of the way and require a long approach; some routes used to have loose rock that’s been cleaned up after a few ascents, but nonetheless haven’t shaken the sub-par reputation. Sometimes, there’s no obvious reason for their obscurity – through some weird coincidence of guidebook selection and groupthink, a stone cold classic somehow slips through the fingers, avoiding classic status and living in obscurity.
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Indoor vs. Outdoor Climbing: What are the differences?
Indoor and outdoor rock climbing have several key differences, each offering unique challenges and experiences. If you’re an indoor climber looking to make the jump outside, consider hiring a guide and enrolling in one of our outdoor rock courses:
Read the storyLake Tahoe Kids Rock Climbing Camp
If you’re seeking an exciting outdoor adventure for your kids, look into the Kids Rock Climbing Camp!Designed for ages 8 to 17, this camp introduces kids to the world of rock climbing, hiking, and outdoor skills in a secure and supportive setting.
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