Summer climbing at the Gunks can be just as fun as the fall with a little extra preparation and knowledge. Read on to learn how to beat the heat at the Gunks with tips from Christian Fracchia, Andy Salo and Eric Ratkowski, authors of Gunks Climbing.

Here in Colorado, summer can mean many things, but to rock climbers, it means Independence Pass climbing is finally on! At elevations from 9,000 to almost 13,000 feet, “The Pass” offers some of the state’s most scenic, accessible, and uncrowded alpine rock climbing. 

Northern California is known for giant redwoods, dank buds, and Bigfoot, but is also home to unique rock climbing. From blue-gold limestone walls, to beach bouldering, to overhanging jug hauls above the ocean waves, there is something for everyone in this quiet part of California. The 5 to 7 hour drive from population centers may be less-than-convenient, but you will be rewarded with a refreshing lack of crowds and great rock.

Wolverine has been attentively listening to the national conversation about racial and gender inclusivity in climbing, and to the problem of offensive route names. If you’ve been following, and noticed that we’ve been silent, it’s because there has been a lot to absorb and learn.

A “first-ascent climber” does almost nothing but. First ascents, that is. For an FAC, repeating climbs seems vaguely pointless, or at best a secondary activity, like climbing in the gym. If a first-ascent climber isn’t working on a first ascent, he (or she) is likely not climbing established routes, but is probably making money for buying bolts for a planned first ascent, or building trail to a new crag that is home to potential first ascents, or maybe, on a “rest day,” repeating some of his or her own first ascents. Plain old climbing on other people’s routes feels somehow hollow. You would like to enjoy it, but you can’t.