Welcome to the November-December 2022 edition of Common Climber!
Featured Photographer: Michael BretzMichael Bretz is a photographer based out of Memphis, Tennessee, with a brief stint in Washington State (which is where the cover photo for this edition was taken.) Michael began photography as a teenager and was formally trained in photography in vocational school and college, then moved into an E-commerce photography career. When the climbing bug struck, it was a natural extension to bring climbing photography into the mix. Read more about Michael - he's a dad and an apprentice climbing guide - and find out his photography tips and tricks, in additional to where he likes to climb.
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Editorial - Stefani Dawn
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yIt's easy to hurry through life; to get caught up in the what's next.
For the gift-giving season it's all about "the new." Ditto for the "The New Year" and the next proj on the list. We have to consciously make ourselves stop, rest, take a breath, and shake it out. In the daily grind, reflection is the equivalent of shaking it out - allowing us to take note of what we have accomplished and to pivot into what's to come. As I was assembling a batch of new articles for this edition, I realized I couldn't even remember what was published this past year. I knew there was stellar stuff, but what was it? That was when I decided to do a year-in-review for 2022. I wanted to top out on this climb and enjoy the view - looking back down the route to see what was accomplished. For those of you who have read every story in each edition, we do have three new ones for you: Our Featured Photographer Michael Bretz; A co-published story with the print magazine Vertical Life about Ian Elliot, a 70-year-old climbing the hardest he ever has; And, a tribute to John Brailsford, the creator of the MOAC, a pre-cursor to our modern nut. |
A summit selfie (Common Climber Editor Stefani Dawn and her hubby Rick Momsen) after climbing "Olive Oil" in Red Rock Canyon. A summit is a perfect place to rest, refresh with water and food, and reflect upon the climb before the descent.
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We also had quite a few tributes in our magazine this past year, so I decided to include all of those in this edition as well. Reflecting upon someone's life and their contributions to this world - especially to climbing - is a way to honor their gift to us. Sir Isaac Newton, a famous British scientist, said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." This is most certainly true for climbing and the giants that came before us.
Even if you have read all of the stories listed in the year in review below, I invite you to pick a couple tales and re-read them. You might find you missed something in your initial read or that you'll enjoy the story in a whole new way. As the editor of Common Climber, I have read these stories many, many times, yet, when I see them online with fresh eyes, they take on another wonderful dimension. Let's honor the time, energy, and spirit of those who have shared their stories, taken these photos, and drawn the art, by looking at their work with fresh eyes.
Enjoy the edition and I sincerely wish you a restful, reflective holiday season!
- Stef
Even if you have read all of the stories listed in the year in review below, I invite you to pick a couple tales and re-read them. You might find you missed something in your initial read or that you'll enjoy the story in a whole new way. As the editor of Common Climber, I have read these stories many, many times, yet, when I see them online with fresh eyes, they take on another wonderful dimension. Let's honor the time, energy, and spirit of those who have shared their stories, taken these photos, and drawn the art, by looking at their work with fresh eyes.
Enjoy the edition and I sincerely wish you a restful, reflective holiday season!
- Stef
New Articles
It's All Up From Here: Ian Elliot
(By Dave Barnes) Ian Elliot is doing some of his hardest climbing at the age of 70. In this extended version of a joint publication with Vertical Life print magazine (Winter 2022 Edition 39), Common Climber Assistant Editor Dave Barnes takes us into Ian's world. |
The Immaculate MOAC: A Tribute to John Brailsford
(By Keith Bell) This is called a MOAC and it was the first modern tapered nut design created for climbing. John Brailsford, the inventor and maker of the Acorn and MOAC chockstone, passed away earlier this year (2022) and Keith Bell provides a wonderful tribute, honoring John's contributions to our climbing world. |
Year in Review 2022
Celebrating our accomplishments by highlighting a few of the articles and photographers we published in 2022. Also feel free to visit our full past 2022 editions!
Previous Tributes
We have a wonderful series of tributes to climbers who laid the groundwork for Australian climbing (and beyond).
Featured Photographers 2022Our featured photographers from our previous 2022 editions (and don't forget our current featured photographer Michael Bretz)
Marketplace InterviewsWe interview the owners of small climbing businesses.
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Highlighted Stories 2022Here are a few curated stories from 2022. Visit our past editions to see all of them.
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Highlighted Videos from 2022
Ok, so these two are from the end of 2021 - but they are still great gift-giving guides because these are timeless gifts!
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AtmosphericBe Yourself - Inspirational words and climbing put to music.
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GearPART 1: GoPro Hero 9 Black VS Insta360 Go 2 For Climbing (Size, Weight, Video & Sound)
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GearPacking for Multipitch Climbs
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And don't forget our 7-part interview series on free soloing, with Jeff Smoot author of All and Nothing: Inside Free Soloing.
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Introduction: Who Here Has Free Soloed?
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How Exactly is Free Soloing Defined?
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Is Free Soloing Addictive?
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Impressionable Climbers
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Are More People Free Soloing Today Than in the Past?
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Is Free Soloing Selfish?
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What About Mental Health and Free Soloing?
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