Holiday Highlights from the Climbing World

Climbing News Over the Christmas Break

The holiday season may be a time for rest and relaxation, but climbers worldwide have kept the spirit of adventure alive. From impressive ascents to community-driven events, here’s a roundup of the most exciting climbing news from the Christmas break.

1. Record-Breaking Ascents

Climbers have taken advantage of the holiday season to push their limits on some of the world’s toughest routes:

Christmas Eve Send: Belgian climber Seb Bouin stunned the community with his send of a long-term project in Margalef, Spain. The route, rumored to be in the 9b+/5.15c range, showcases his continued dominance in the sport climbing scene.
Winter Alpinism Feats: Over in the Alps, Catherine Destivelle completed a daring winter solo climb of a new mixed route on the north face of Mont Blanc, demonstrating that extreme alpinism is alive and thriving.

2. Climbing Community Gives Back

Holiday cheer extended to climbing gyms and crags, with climbers coming together to support charitable causes:

Gym Competitions for Charity: Climbing gyms across the UK hosted festive competitions, with proceeds supporting local climbing access funds and environmental initiatives. The “Santa Sends Challenge” at London’s The Arch Climbing Centre raised over £10,000.
Cleanup Initiatives: Groups like Climbers Against Trash organized post-holiday crag cleanups, ensuring popular climbing spots remain pristine for the New Year.

3. New Year, New Gear Announcements

Gear companies took advantage of the holiday buzz to announce exciting new products:

Black Diamond’s Winter Line: Black Diamond unveiled its 2025 collection, featuring ultra-light carabiners and a revamped Momentum harness.
Eco-Friendly Innovations: Edelrid teased a new line of ropes made entirely from recycled materials, launching early next year.

4. Indoor Climbing Boom

Cold weather didn’t stop climbers from staying active, as indoor climbing gyms saw record attendance:

Holiday Camps: Family-friendly climbing camps introduced hundreds of newcomers to the sport, highlighting climbing’s growing popularity as a recreational activity.
Olympic Hopefuls Training: Top climbers like Janja Garnbret and Colin Duffy were spotted at renowned training facilities, preparing for the 2025 competitive season.

5. Social Media Buzz

Climbers took to social media to share their holiday adventures:

Viral TikToks showcased climbers scaling festively decorated indoor routes, complete with Christmas lights and ornaments.
On Instagram, climber Alex Honnold shared a heartfelt post reflecting on the joy of climbing and spending time outdoors with family.

Final Thoughts

The Christmas break was packed with incredible achievements and heartwarming community efforts in the climbing world. As we head into 2025, these stories remind us of the resilience, creativity, and camaraderie that define our sport. Stay tuned for more updates, and here’s to an adventurous New Year filled with climbing success!