Best Climbing Videos : 2014

"A story about Klemen Bečan's contribution to Slovenian climbing scene
through developing climbing area called Osp, especially its most famous crag, where the hardest rock climbing routes are found, called "Pajkova streha", which means Spider's roof. The story follows Klemen's achievments in developing and climbing the marvelous cave, full of limestone tufas; since the year of 2007, Klemen bolted 7 popular routes, including two of the hardest rock climbs in Slovenia, Halupca 1979 (9a) and Waterworld (9a), which Klemen sended few months ago. The period of bolting and climbing was ended with upgrade of all the rutes; in late march 2014, Klemen bolted a 180 m long, multi-pitch route, which he graded around 8b(?). In the movie, you can also see the appearance of a young, talented Slovenian climber of the new generation Domen Škofic, who sended Klemen's project Water World, and also one of the most legendary Slovenian female climbers in history, Martina Čufar Potard, a successful competion and rock climber.

"Kevin Jorgeson and his impossible invitation to free the hardest unclimbed big wall route in the world

Directed & Filmed by:
Andy Mann & Keith Ladzinski

Edited by:
Andy Mann & Josh Povec

Assistant Editor:
Lilly Rosenthal

"Event Video for the 21st Annual Hueco Rock Rodeo!

It was a truly awesome event this year, held to benefit the Hueco Tanks
State Historic Site, outside of El Paso, TX.

"For the past three years I have helped run the Hueco Rock Rodeo, and after each event I have had the privilege of saying it was the best Hueco Rock Rodeo yet. Once again the 21st Hueco Rock Rodeo gave me the opportunity to say it was the largest and most excellent rodeo to date. Without my predecessors, sponsors and volunteers it would be impossible. Thanks everyone especially 5.10, Adidas, the AAC and HTSHP. "

Melissa Strong
Hueco Rock Rodeo Event Organizer

Huge thanks to Beau Kahler, David Mason, and Hiro Watanabe for their assistant camera work!

Music is by Stenchman - Loco Motion, Silicon Future, Western Riddim

www.bearcammedia.com

"Paige Claassen talks about her newly discovered passion for trail running, and how she utilizes it to maintain her fitness and improve her climbing

"The North Ridge of Mt. Stuart in Central Washington is a true classic. High quality granite from bottom to top, loads of mountain goats, and some good friends make this experience not to be missed.

Follow our adventure to climb North America's Fifty Classic Climbs: www.smileysproject.com

"When it comes to sending hard projects, even the best climbers don't always know when—or even if—it's going to happen. You bring hope and intent and training...and then you go to work.

For Black Diamond Athlete Joe Kinder, Maquina Muerte was that kind of climb. Steep and physical, the southern-Utah line is a testpiece of power and resolve, culminating in a 'bastard undercling' that protects the crux. "This thing gave me grief," Joe says of making the 5.14+'s first ascent. "But it was so nice to complete."

Crown Jewel:
"One of Tahoe’s finest unclimbed lines, Crown Jewel, was sent by Kyle O’Meara this past summer. It climbs a perfectly clean 30 foot overhanging wall with sustained moves throughout. The boulder sits in a spectacular position perched above the Phantom Spires.

About Time In The Pines:
Over the past few years a select group of hard climbing Tahoe locals have been scouring the area, spending a ton of time under the big pine trees and secretly picking off world class boulder problems. The Time In The Pines series is a tip of the hat to the hard work that the select few have put in.

Produced by: Deep Roots Media & SkyPoint Visuals
Director/DP: Dane Henry
Additional Camera: Sean Haverstock & John Considine
Gimbal Tech/Camera Stabilization: Sean Haverstock
Music: The Polish Ambassador - Float With Me
Courtesy of The Polish Ambassador

"In these more advanced sessions Tom and Pete looks at more advanced techniques for crack climbing
- when the crack doesn't do what you want to - when it's too wide, too thin or non existent!!! They look at what tricks and techniques you need in your armoury to take your jamming one stage further.
Wild Country ‘Crack School’ is a series of eight short videos designed to utilise the skills and knowledge of our climbers Tom Randall and Pete Whittaker to give an introduction to crack climbing. Over 8 episodes the guys cover all widths of crack: Fingers, Hands, Fists and Offwidths as well as looking at the skills of gear placement and taping up. In the first episodes of Crack School Tom and Pete looked at the basic techniques of crack climbing, the all important building blocks for any would be crack climber - how to jam, what to do with the feet and when to place gear.


As Tom Randall says: ‘Crack climbing well is a fantastic feeling and learning how to climb cracks opens up a world of routes, and indeed some of the best routes in the world: from Brown and Whillans’ classics in the UK (try doing Cenotaph Corner or the Sloth without being able to jam) through to Yosemite and Indian Creek in the USA. And remember, the best climbers always have a variety of techniques at their disposal and having a variety of techniques always makes you a better climber!!’

Squib Climbing the First Ascent of Augmentium (30, 8a+) in Freycinet National Park, TASMANIA, Placing all his gear on lead.

"This story is about the first 8B+ in Russia, which has been opened by Artem Petrakov last september at the newly developed area called Lietlahti. Artem named the line Kozhanyi Nos (leather nose) in memory of his dog, which died on the same day, as he climbed the problem.

История про то, как скалолаз из Москвы Артем Петраков первым пролез потрясающий проект по нависанию в Лиетлахти, ныне известный под названием Кожаный Нос (Артем назвал трассу в память о своей собаке, умершей в тот же день, когда он пролез проект). По словам Артема, это самая сложная трасса из тех, что он пролез (а список его достижений довольно внушителен). Артем предложил категорию сложности 8В+, чего прежде не случалось на территории Российской Федерации!
music: http://missisippilandscapes.bandcamp.com/track/l-vres-ce-quon-mange

30 years later Ben Moon revisits his 1984 8a, Statement of Youth.

"It seems hard to believe but it was 30 years ago back in 1984, aged just 18 that I made the first ascent of the UK's 2nd 8a Statement of Youth. At the time it caused quite a stir in the climbing world not because of it?s difficulty but because I had used 7 bolts to climb it. To those not familiar with climbing in the 1980s this might seem pretty strange but back then sport climbing in the UK didn't exist. Although it would take a few years this was all going to change and Statement played a big part in this change. During the past 30 years I have made several 1st ascents around the world but there are none that I am more proud of than Statement of Youth. Located at Lower Pen-Trwyn (LPT to most people) on the Great Orme in North Wales the route takes a line up the right-hand side of the steep left hand section of the cliff. With no particular crux section but very sustained at the grade it's a right of passage for the sport climber aspiring to the magical 8th grade. To celebrate its 30th anniversary I recently made a trip back to LPT with my good friend Steve Lewis to make a short film about that summer and the first ascent of Statement of Youth. I hope you enjoy." - Ben Moon

"Winter of 2014 was a big snow year in Southern Utah. When Scott Adamson and his compadres set out to explore
these high desert canyons, there was one recorded ice climb. What they found would forever change the way we see desert climbing.

"David Lama & Dani Arnold on this first ascent of a new route on the Moose's Tooth in Alaska - 6a, M7+, 90°, A2.
Lama is best known for being able to scale the world’s toughest alpine climbing routes, while Arnold is famous for his speed. The two young alpinists recently teamed up for an expedition to Alaska and were able to realize a spectacular first ascent right away. With their new route “Bird of Prey” Lama and Arnold managed to pull off the first line through the central headwall of the 1500-metre (4500 ft.) east face of Moose’s Tooth. The duo finished the demanding climb with sections up to 6a, M7+, 90°, A2 in remarkable speed, making it back to base camp within 48 hours.

"Ice Pillar Snaps with Climber on It, Here's How He Survived | Sub-Zero, Ep. 3 - Sub-Zero explores the souls of four top Canadian ice climbers and this time we meet John Freeman, a mountain guide

"India marks stop #6 of Marmot's Lead Now Tour (www.leadnowtour.org/), a global tour to inspire people through rock climbing and raise $10,000 a month for twelve different non-profit organizations.

6 months deep into travel, the Lead Now team finds a new rhythm in India during the month of December. With 5am daily wakeup calls to work India’s hardest sport climb before sunrise, Paige Claassen and 2 of India’s strongest climbers – Tuhin Satarkar and Sandeep Kumar Maity – navigate not only heat but the cultural barriers of a country deeply rooted in tradition. In a culture where women are expected to keep the home, dress conservatively, and live under the guidance of men, a woman climbing Ganesh (5.14a/8b+) is an unexpected event. Follow the Lead Now team deeper into the struggles of women in India as Ruchira Gupta, Emmy winning founder of Apne Aap Women Worldwide, describes her work to end sex trafficking and forced prostitution in India, and encourage the hope, empowerment, and shared courage of women around the world.

To support Lead Now's $10,000 fundraising goal for Apne Aap Women Worldwide, visit www.crowdrise.com/leadnowtourindia

In partnership with Marmot (www.marmot.com/), Fitness Magazine (www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/superstars/lead-now-tour/), and Men's Health (www.menshealth.com/).

Additional footage provided by:
Ruchira Gupta - "The Selling of Innocence" ©1996

www.lt11.com

Music -
Vinod Prasanna × Okey Szoke × Pompey - Raag (Youtube)
Vinod Prasanna × Okey Szoke × Pompey - Cascading
http://bsr.fm/
www.soundcloud.com/milyoo

"Promoting the incredible sport of bouldering and the fantastic events of the IFSC Bouldering World Cup Series.
Reproduced with IFSC's permission. All video contents remain their intellectual property. Monetisation of the video goes exclusively to fund the International Federation of Sport Climbing and the events shown in this video. Share with your friends to help promote climbing. Music: Bandit - Aria We included all the of World Cup finalists of the season.

Episode 3: "Climbing legends Stefan Glowacz (Germany) and Chris Sharma (USA) team up to master a climbing route in the Majlis al Jinn cave in Oman. The route has never been attempted before and counts as the world’s longest roof climb with 13 pitches. Both athletes descended into the bowels of the earth into the giant Majlis al Jinn Cave to climb the probably biggest roof this planet has to offer. No one has taken on this challenge so far, the idea is unique. Glowacz and Sharma climbed from the bottom of the Majlis al Jinn Cave back to Earth’s surface.

Angela Eiter's first female ascent of Zauberfee in Italy - 8c

Quick, Easy and Cheap assisted system for dead hangs and pull ups.

"There’s A Fine Line Between Fun And Terrifying - These Guys Just Jumped Off It"

"Super-climber Will Gadd attacks the world's most challenging mixed climb: Canada's Helmcken Falls. On February 11th, Will Gadd and his team successfully reached the top of the Falls in British Colombia, Canada, after an exhausting and icy eight-hour climb. The route is considered to be the toughest mixed ice route in the world."

Alex Luger in his tradclimb PsychoGramm 8b+

"Time In The Pines: Welcome To The Future: Sitting in the picturesque Hope Valley, just outside the Tahoe basin, Welcome To The Future has become a classic test piece of the area. With the imagination to see the line, Welcome to the Future was first climbed by Jesse Bonin. The climb starts on shallow dimples, leading to a reachy throw, and finishing up an improbable hold less arete.

Produced by: Deep Roots Media & SkyPoint Visuals
Director/DP: Dane Henry
Additional Camera: Sean Haverstock & Chris Stamey
Focus Pull: Corey Rich
BTS & Assist: Bligh Gillies
MoVI Tech/Camera Stabilization: Sean Haverstock

Music by: ODESZA
Album: In Return
Track 1: Kusanagi - Track 2: Koto
Courtesy of ODESZA

"Crack climbers Tom Randall and Pete Whittaker as they attempt 125 climbs, 22 mile run and 0 sleep all in 24hrs.


www.g-shock.co.uk/nevergiveup

"Rock climbing in Freycinet National Park - Tasmania. Gina Sorensen Climbing Antimatter (23) 7a at the Star Factory which is located on Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania.

Jimmy nabs the second ascent of Defying Gravity V15. A perfect boulder problem with an incredible move.

Last year the Wow Prow crag in South Africa received some well deserved attention for it's irresistible rock. Inspired, Kilian took a trip south where he climbed Digital Warfare 8b+/5.14a on his 2nd attempt.

Proving that stubborn dedication can be the magic that gets you to the top.

"MetroRock’s fifth year of the Dark Horse Series concludes in a heart-stopping Championship round where six of the country's most vicious, blood-thirsty competitors battle for this year’s title."

What motivates these climbers to mess about with unpredictable and slabby icebergs in the arctic waters isn't clear. None-the-less, it makes for some eye catching scenes, and ridiculously sketchy drama.

This year Jen Randall and Alex Gorham traveled throughout Europe to find the best climbing areas.
In this episode they enjoy the world renowned sandstone of Albarracín.

In this cut footage from the upcoming movie Change, Adam demonstrates his remarkable on-sight skills on Nordic Flower 8c/+ and Muy Verdes 8c/+ at the Hanshelleren cave in Flatanger, Norway.

Jorge's experience with establishing a new problem in Albarracín, Spain

Nina Caprez climbs Hélix 8c+ and Cédric Lachat Staphylocoque 9a+, two routes on beautiful limestone of Pic Saint Loup, France.

An untraditional wedding on Pingora Peak

"Brian and Mandy left their home on bicycles (rode 14 miles), hiked into the Cirque of the Towers in Wyoming's Wind River Range (24 miles), climbed the Northeast Face of Pingora Peak (1,200' of climbing, 11,884' summit elevation, Grade IV, 5.8, 9 pitches), got married, and reversed the approach. On their wedding day they were awake and moving for 24 hours, the entire trip was just under 45 hours."

Producer: Kyle Duba

8:35m

"Two climbers make a voyage of discovery to the magical Lofoten Islands."

Nalle travels to Vegas, USA to put up new problems and repeat Meadowlark Lemon v15

Episode 2 : Mike Libecki, Ethan Pringle, and Liv Sansoz travel to the remote Tian Shan Mountains near the border of China and Kyrgyzstan to establish a spicy big wall climb.

Episode 1 is available here.

20 years after Todd Skinner found and bolted this stunning arête, the Strawberry Roan project finally sees a first ascent.

In Idaho, USA a river channel has carved unique rock formations which make for some very cool climbing.

Producer: Louder Than Eleven

"Kinetic energy [noun]: energy which a body possesses by virtue of being in motion."

Boulders: loaded direct, tequila sunrise, free willy, diaphonus sea, right martini, diabolique.

The process to develop an unclimbed boulder.

Highballin

This video definitely wasn't made for climbers, but the footage of Berger climbing 'The Supervisor' is too good to pass up.

Alex Honnold spends his 29th Birthday soloing for 16 hours in Squamish, Canada.

Three separate climbing pairs discuss their encounter with a hard and rarely climbed ice route on the Mont Blanc Range. More images and story about this video.

Jason completes two more proud first ascents in Hueco, including what he calls "one of the sickest undone roof lines in the park".

Jason Kruk & Marc-Andre Leclerc head south for some gnarly climbing in Patagonia.

Alex starts the day on John Bachar's free solo circuit at Owens River Gorge, and on to Bishop for bouldering.

Alex solos The Shining Path, 2,500 feet, 5.12+

Why not solo with a giant monkey costume on....