Climbing History
A selected history of climbing and mountaineering through the climbers, climbs and media.
4138 Climbers
8009 Climbs
21277 Ascents
Featured
Rainbow Jambaia | E7 Trad climb at Angel Falls
First free ascent of the main angel falls amphitheatre wall by a substantially new line. Its 31 pitches included nine E7s and took the seven-person team nineteen days to climb. The route overhangs some 60m in its 1,000m length, making it a contender for the most overhanging big wall in the world.
The route was approached from the ground with the hardest pitches headpointed. No bolts were placed for lead protection, five were placed as portaledge anchors. The team took three weeks to ascend the wall, living off portaledges for most of it. Miles Gibson did pitch 27, E7 6b, after 16 days on the wall.
Route: Rainbow Jambaia (31 pitches, E7 6b): All-free ascent of the Angel Falls wall, following the general line of Ruta Directa (1,150m, VI 6b A4, Gálvez-Medinabeitía, 1990), with many variations and an independent finish for the final eight pitches; Anne Arran, John Arran (U.K.), Ivan Calderón (Ven.), Miles Gibson (U.K.), Ben Heason (U.K.), Alex Klenov (Rus.), and Alfredo Rangel (Ven.), March 18-April 5, 2005.
References
[1] https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12200613400/Rainbow-Jambaia
First free ascent of the main angel falls amphitheatre wall by a substantially new line. Its 31 pitches included nine E7s and took the seven-person team nineteen days to climb. The route overhangs some 60m in its 1,000m length, making it a contender for the most overhanging big wall in the world.
The route was approached from the ground with the hardest pitches headpointed. No bolts were placed for lead protection, five were placed as portaledge anchors. The team took three weeks to ascend the wall, living off portaledges for most of it. Miles Gibson did pitch 27, E7 6b, after 16 days on the wall.
Route: Rainbow Jambaia (31 pitches, E7 6b): All-free ascent of the Angel Falls wall, following the general line of Ruta Directa (1,150m, VI 6b A4, Gálvez-Medinabeitía, 1990), with many variations and an independent finish for the final eight pitches; Anne Arran, John Arran (U.K.), Ivan Calderón (Ven.), Miles Gibson (U.K.), Ben Heason (U.K.), Alex Klenov (Rus.), and Alfredo Rangel (Ven.), March 18-April 5, 2005.
References
[1] https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12200613400/Rainbow-Jambaia
Pics + Vids
Featuring 10318 pictures and videos. Try searching for a climber, climb or summit to see pics and videos.
Kai Whaley on Sleepwalker 8C
Conor Wellman on The Multiverse 8B+
Aidan Roberts on The Innocent Man 8B+
Katrin Lehmann on Kryptos 8C
Mirko Caballero on Lard Butt 8a+
Florian Wientjes on Oliphant's Dawn 8B+
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Explore
Fancy a look around? You can browse by climber or by climbs, or you can check out some lists. For example
- All sport ascents of 9b or above
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Podcasts
Featuring 4169 podcasts. Try searching for a climber to see podcasts with them, or check out some of these podcasts:
- Jonny Kydd on The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast (2023)
- Alex Megos on The Nugget (2024)
- Kyra Condie on The Struggle Climbing Show (2025)
- Anna Hazlett on The Struggle Climbing Show (2026)
Library
Featuring 15311 items in the library. Try a search to see what you can find, or check out these library items:
- Drifter's Escape (2026) Film
- PPG 1862 S2 V1 259-272 High Level Route 5 Jacomb (1862) Journal
- Tremadoc Update (1956) Guidebook
Recent updates
Miles came close but was not able to seal the deal.
References
[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/the_last_great_problems_on_grit-8068
A belay was taken on the girdle ledge and high runner placed in Cemetery Gates to protect the upper crux.
I led on sight with some difficulty up to the ledge and as there was no chalk couldn't see where the route went. There was a line pretty close to the Gates but I didn't think that was it as it was too close. I brought my brother up and he belayed.
In order to provide a bit of safety I put a runner just above him as I did not want to fall directly onto him. I went looking for the line and ended off setting up what is now the top section of lord of the flies, but was then unclimbed. Without any extra gear I pumped out and took a massive pendulum and even went around the arete.
After a rest on the ledge I led up what I then knew was the line quite close to the Gates. I was a bit disappointed that the holds even went a bit right at the top even closer to the Gates. I was also annoyed as I had missed the line first time.
References
[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/what_happened_to_graded_lists-792440
A belay was taken on the girdle ledge and high runner placed in Cemetery Gates to protect the upper crux.
References
[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/what_happened_to_graded_lists-792440