Stories & Guides

You’d think a frozen couloir would be the last place to feel calm. But for Franziska Schönbächler, it’s the only place that makes sense. No noise. No pressure. Just the sound of her ice tools, the cold in her lungs, and the quiet reminder that she’s doing this for no one but herself. She’s still in the competition world - where every move is judged, every result matters, and the pressure to deliver never really lets up. Even at her best, she wondered: Was I climbing for me, or for everyone else?

Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland, isn’t known for mixed climbing – but for Filippo Sala, it’s everything. It’s where he grew up, where he fell in love with the mountains, and where his career as a professional mountaineer began. Inspired by his grandfather, a lifelong alpinist, Filippo is now bringing a new style of climbing to his home terrain – not for glory, but to share the beauty of Ticino with others. After all, isn’t that why we do open new routes?

In 1969, a Japanese climbing team made history by opening the most direct route up the Eiger north face. It was one of the toughest climbs of its time. Among the team of six, was Michiko Imai, who became the first woman to summit the Eiger via this line. At a time when women in Switzerland still couldn’t vote, her role on that wall was quietly radical – like a real trailblazer.

Have you ever dreamed of going on a bikepacking tour through a faraway country? And with complete strangers? ‘Beyond the Known’ follows five women from five different countries as they cross the Taurus Mountains in Turkey on gravel bikes. Join them on their journey in ‘Beyond the Known’.

Gary Ozeray fulfills his dream and combines mountaineering, trail running, and climbing into a 12-hour monster tour around Lake Annecy. On this alpine marathon, he is supported by his friends, who take it in turns to accompany him.

Four days on a steep face, at nearly 6000 meters and minus 20 degrees Celsius - not an experience most people would describe as wonderful. But Marek Holeček and Matěj Bernát are different. Follow them up Sura Peak and into the bars of Kathmandu.

It’s never been more important for our mental well being that we find the time to venture outdoors and reap the benefits of fresh air and exercise. But with travel and even daily exercise severely limited, the outdoors has never seemed farther away for those in London.

Sailing to Greenland and being the first to climb a big wall there. Nobody could accuse Caro North of lacking ambition.