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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 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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A group of kids hanging on the Tahoe Via Ferrata during a Kids Rock Climbing Camp in Lake Tahoe.

Climb and Grow: Why Alpenglow Expedition’s Rock Climbing Camp is the Ultimate Adventure 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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a climber in a blue jacket with a yellow pack stands in front of an alpine lake looking up at a white granite wall

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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A climber with a blue rope and backpack walks along a sharp granite spine beneath a clear sky.

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:
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A group of kids hanging on the Tahoe Via Ferrata during a Kids Rock Climbing Camp in Lake Tahoe.

Lake 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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guided multi-pitch rock climbing at Lovers Leap in Lake Tahoe with professional mountain guides

Rock Climbing Courses: Choose the One That’s Right for You

Written by Robert Kyte At Alpenglow Expeditions, it is our mission to offer an array of options wide enough to accommodate climbers of any experience level. Whether you’re brand new…
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What makes the Continuous Lifeline System So Special?

Via Ferrata has been around for a long time! Originating in Italy via ferrata quickly became a popular recreational activity. Today there are over 400 Via Ferratas in Italy alone…
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Gym to High Sierra Climber: The Progression

Written by Mike Pond and Amy Olson;   High Sierra photos by Lorenzo Riano Have you been bitten with the climbing bug? Whether you recently discovered climbing and are intrigued…
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