Featured Photographer: Jethro Kiernan

 Jethro Kiernan is a climbing, adventure, and industrial photographer out of Snowdonia, Wales in the United Kingdom.

He has won awards for his photography and been published in numerous journals across the world, including National Geographic. When you take a look at his photos, you can see why. 

​Check out our interview of Jethro and learn about - and view - some of the incredible rock climbing and mountaineering in Wales.

Editorial

For those who may not be aware June is Pride Month, where the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates the pride in loving, accepting, and being who you are and with whom you love. The Common Climber community is one that is welcoming to all, no matter the size of your body, the color of your skin, your age, gender, whom you love, how long who have been climbing, or your climbing ability! We are about celebrating ALL Common Climbers!

​For the June 2021 edition, in honor of Pride Month, we feature two engaging articles: One is an interview of Brie Chartier, a transgender climber and AMGA Single Pitch Instructor who describes her transition journey into being the woman she always has been; The other is a Marketplace interview of the women-owned basewear company Têra Kaia, who has created some one-of-a-kind Pride TOURA Basewear tops for a Pride Month fundraiser and giveaway.

Common Climber editor Stefani Dawn doing a much less intense hand-foot match compared to the one in James Crump's story "The Fourth Bolt of Texas Radio."

If you are not familiar with LGBTQIA+, be it the acronym, history, or issues, be sure to check out the article about Brie, which includes some very helpful definitions and clarifications. If you'd like to win some gear while supporting an LGBTQIA+ center, check out the Têra Kaia article.

In this edition we also have U.K. Featured Photographer Jethro Kiernan whose cover shot is an award-nominated photo and, I must say perfectly complements the Common Climber color palette! And, we have some more climbing fun with Aussie climber and writer Keith Bell, who takes us on Part 2 of his entertaining Animal Acts tour - this time with things that slither, crawl and walk! I can tell you Keith has done some pretty amazing things - including being part of an expedition to help save the world's most endangered insect located on Balls Pyramid off the coast of Australia.

We also have two stories that will make you laugh - the mini-epic tale Email From Italy and The Fourth Bolt of Texas Radio which explains how one (illegal) bolt changed climbing history.

I am also SUPER EXCITED to share a prologue and excerpt from Chapter 1 of Common Climber Assistant Editor Dave Barnes' new book,  The Red Curtain: Climbing Expedition to Mars 2043, that will be released in July 2021! On June 15th we will be sharing a video interview with Dave about his book. He will be answering your and my questions about his book, so, go read the excerpt, join our bookclub, and share your questions!

Lastly, climbing events are back on! We have updated the 2021 climbing events schedules for the U.S. and Australia (and the Olympics) and we also have a great new gear video on buying a new climbing rope. This video is the final video of a 3-part series highlighting all of the rope specs you see on climbing rope packaging, what that means, and what's important to consider when buying a new rope. 

Pride Month Stories

I am a Woman: Brie Chartier Shares Her Transition Journey
(By Stefani Dawn)

Brie Chartier is an AMGA single pitch instructor and a transgender woman. This year, at the age of 47, she underwent gender affirmation surgery and, by fully embracing both her womanhood and outdoor and LGBTQIA+ advocacy passions, she finally feels whole. 

Common Climber Marketplace Interview: Têra Kaia

Têra Kaia (formerly Arêt Basewear) is a woman-owned outdoor basewear company. Their flagship product, the multifunctional TOURA basewear bra/swimwear, was created because they were fed up with outdoor bras and swimsuit tops that were uncomfortable, fit poorly, and quickly fell apart.

This month Têra Kaia is working with Brie Chartier and other climbing brands to do a special LGBTQIA+ fundraiser. Têra Kaia created some one-of-a-kind Pride TOURA Basewear tops and in this interview we learn more about the fundraiser, these one-of-a-kind tops, and the company. ​

Stories

The Fourth Bolt of Texas Radio
​(By James Crump)

It took a lot to get to that location where a fourth bolt could be placed on the steep, lichen-covered slab... In James Crump's words,  "Drill, hammer, swing, tap and drill, pawing feet and hammering, a three-hit rhythm to the terror. My mind thinks of the beat-chanting roars of a stadium - 'Block that kick! Block that kick!' Paw, drill, hammer, paw, drill, hammer. My calves are burning like a finite resource."

James Crump keeps us on the edge of our seat, with details and humor, of his first ascent of Texas Radio - but there is more to that bolt. It sets off a Texas revolution.

Email From Italy
(By Tony McKenny)

"Hi All,

Now in Scotland for the next part of our road trip, having a lovely time, wish you were here!  We are missing Tasmania but the Dolomites are sensational, more rock than you can poke a stick at... and accessible too, apart from the queues on the popular routes. But they can still bite your bum as we found out, nearly to our cost.
 
You know accidents can be made up of small incidents. It's like the gaming machine, three lemons means you have hit the jackpot and are in deep shite.....​"

Animal Acts 2: Things That Slither, Crawl and Walk
(By Keith Bell)

Keith Bell wraps up his entertaining two-part series on critters he has encountered while climbing. From snakes, to things with fur and exoskeletons, these stories will make you laugh, cringe, or be fascinated - or all of the above. 

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Book Excerpt - New Book Release!

This looks fun.

-- Tommy Caldwell, USA

The Red Curtain is fiction today, but time has taught us that, in our world, impossibility manifests only in you. When you are ready for the adventure, this limit dissolves. Thank you Dave for your inspiration, I'm ready for this adventure.

-- Thomas Huber, Germany

The Red Curtain: Climbing Expedition to Mars 2043
Prologue and Chapter 1: Pre-Release

​Common Climber Assistant Editor Dave Barnes will be releasing his new book The Red Curtain: A Climbing Expedition to Mars 2043 next month, July 2021.

We are excited to share a pre-release of the prologue and part of the first chapter!

Join us in the Common Climber book club for a discussion of the upcoming novel with Dave. Read the excerpt, get excited, and post your questions by June 14! On June 15, I will record and post an interview with Dave where he answers your questions and mine about the forth-coming book! Dave is a lovely personality - one you don't want to miss! Follow us in the Common Climber Facebook Bookclub and our regular Facebook Page!

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Go Play!

Climbing Events 2021 - U.S. & AU

With the vaccinations rolling out, so are the climbing events that were cancelled last year. Find a climbing event in your area or go on a road trip!

New Common Climber YouTube Videos

Check out the Common Climber YouTube channel and subscribe!

GEAR
Buying a New Rope - Rope Specs Part 3: Impact Force, Dynamic & Static Elongation, Weight & Length

There are lots of factors to consider when buying a new rope - some are more important than others. In this 3-part series we dig into all of the specs you see on the label of a rope, we tell you what they mean, and describe how those factor into rope buying. This is part 3 of the series where we cover impact force, dynamic and static elongation, and rope weight and length. Check it out and learn about the ropes we use for rock climbing!

Check out the other two videos for this 3-part series:
Part 1: Middle Marker, Sheath, & Diameter 
Part 2: Falls & Factor 2 Falls