Climbing History
A selected history of climbing and mountaineering through the climbers, climbs and media.
3600 Climbers
7154 Climbs
18609 Ascents
Featured
Biographie | 9a+ Sport route at Céüse
Arnaud Petit climbed the pitch to a half height anchor in 1996 at a grade of 8c+. The full pitch was given the name Biographie but was later renamed Realization by the first ascenionist Chris Sharma. In line with French custom of routes being named by their equipper, it is now known as Biographie.
The route became famous as one of Chris Sharma's first big new routes and one of the earliest routes given 9a+, though notably not the first (several routes previously given 9a have subsequently been upgraded). His extended efforts on the route were documented in the film Dosage Volume 1.
At one point Chris wanted to call it Get a Life, thankfully he changed his mind! [3]
References
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suVH2BuFEh0
[3] https://open.spotify.com/episode/14eXBiZUrV7LetCF132iNS?
Arnaud Petit climbed the pitch to a half height anchor in 1996 at a grade of 8c+. The full pitch was given the name Biographie but was later renamed Realization by the first ascenionist Chris Sharma. In line with French custom of routes being named by their equipper, it is now known as Biographie.
The route became famous as one of Chris Sharma's first big new routes and one of the earliest routes given 9a+, though notably not the first (several routes previously given 9a have subsequently been upgraded). His extended efforts on the route were documented in the film Dosage Volume 1.
At one point Chris wanted to call it Get a Life, thankfully he changed his mind! [3]
References
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suVH2BuFEh0
[3] https://open.spotify.com/episode/14eXBiZUrV7LetCF132iNS?
Pics + Vids
Featuring 9024 pictures and videos. Try searching for a climber, climb or summit to see pics and videos.
Jacopo Larcher on Magic Line (E10)
Allison Vest on Sway On (8A)
Ethan Walker on Mecca Extension (8c)
Noah Wheeler on The Hero of Ages (8C)
Andrea Chelleris on Estado Crítico (9a)
Simon Nadin on The Bad and the Beautiful (E7)
Support
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You may also be interested in the Mountain Heritage Trust, a charity dedicated to preserving the rich history of climbing and mountaineering. Their collection includes many unique and valuable items, from rare guidebooks through to the boots worn by Doug Scott on the 1977 Ogre expedition.
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
- British women who have climbed 7C or above
- British men who have climbed 8c or above
Podcasts
Featuring 4004 podcasts. Try searching for a climber to see podcasts with them, or check out some of these podcasts:
- Meagan Martin on The Struggle Climbing Show, July 2024
- Austin Hoyt on The Testpiece Podcast, November 2025
- Tyler Nelson on TrainingBeta, October 2019
- Jeannie Wall on The Nugget, February 2023
Library
Featuring 11023 items in the library. Try a search to see what you can find, or check out these library items:
- Depth Charge - Outtakes Film
- Alpine Journal 1995 37-46 Pratt K2 (1995) Journal
- Swanage (1987) Guidebook
Recent updates
References
References
References
[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DT-zNfBibXI/
[2] https://www.climbing.com/news/how-sean-bailey-sent-duality-of-man-and-why-he-kept-quiet/
[3] Discussion with Alex Honnold on Climbing Gold https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jVBxaXUZcGLPOytwu6uPt
Alpinist and Bleausard. At times controversial and somewhat mysterious, in 1965 Trivellini created the bold Black Circuit (ED-) at Bas Cuvier [1]. He disappeared in March 1967 during an attempt at a direct winter solo on the Eiger North Face.
His body was never found. Two years earlier, solo, he is said to have completed the first ascent of the Linceul [The Shroud] with a direct finish to the summit of the Grandes Jorasses via the left side of the Walker Spur (3–4–5–6 July 1965). This extraordinary feat was questioned and never officially recognised. Francis Bocianowski, of the R.S.C.M. (Red Star Club Montreuillois), a friend of Trivellini, saw no reason to doubt it and compiled a dossier on the matter. A journalist of Polish origin, Piotr Packowski, has more recently argued Trivellini’s case with the support of Claude Deck, former president of the G.H.M., in the journal of the F.F.C.A.M. (formerly the Club Alpin Français). Two false rumours long circulated about Trivellini: that he was deeply in debt, and that he had fled to Argentina for that reason. The mystery remains, with his body never recovered despite searches. [2]
References
[2] Fontainebleau: 100 ans d'escalade, Gilles Modica, Jacky Godoffe, Editions Mont Blanc, 2017, p.227. Translation by Chat GPT.