by Tom Markiewicz on August 12, 2009
The Wall Street Journal has an article on John Bachar and free soloing. He was one of the first climbers to train for the sport like he was an Olympic athlete. Bachar was renowned not only for his physical prowess but even more for his mental mastery, his ability to put fear at bay and [...]
by Tom Markiewicz on July 6, 2009
Sad news in the climbing world. Climbing legend John Bachar, age 51, was found at the base of the Dike Wall in Mammoth Lakes, California yesterday. There are not many details at this point, but it’s presumed that he was free soloing. The Dike Wall is a beautiful cliff of pristine granite situated at 9,000ft [...]
by Tom Markiewicz on January 6, 2009
Jonathan Thesenga and Brittany Griffith visit the climbing at Stolby, a central Siberian nature reserve, where all the locals free solo – many barefoot and with homemade rubber climbing shoes. Watching dozens of people simultaneously soloing these routes is amazing and frightening at the same time. Check it out: (via @sudarkoff)
by Tom Markiewicz on October 4, 2007
For a final gasp of summer, here’s a new deep water solo video (via UKclimbing.com) of Rob Lamey on the first ascent of The Heel Hook Look on the Little Orme, North Wales