NW Alpine

The NW Alpine Blog of Alpine Pursuits

Fourteen Years of the Black Spider Hoody
Features

Fourteen Years of the Black Spider Hoody

Last week we put up an Instagram post about the Black Spider Hoody and the "problem" with making durable product. If your product doesn't wear out your customers don't need another one for 10+ year...
Jason Hardrath - Bulgers 100 Interview
Features

Jason Hardrath - Bulgers 100 Interview

It's big, it's huge, it's scary. I will most likely fail. If one fire starts and fire season starts early, boom, game over. I could be on peak 99 out of 100 and if a fire starts on peak 100 then it...
Training for Climbing - A Perspective from Becky and Phil
Expedition

Training for Climbing - A Perspective from Becky and Phil

Both Becky and Phil climb at a very high level while juggling full time jobs and other commitments. They graciously provided some in-depth insight into their specific training plans, how they find ...
Climbing in the Wind Rivers — Becky Switzer
Expedition

Climbing in the Wind Rivers — Becky Switzer

Flashback to July and remember what it was like to only be four months into the pandemic. Plans had been sidelined for an unforeseen amount of time. Travel was difficult, international travel nearl...
Transcendental Linkup — Luke Negley
Features

Transcendental Linkup — Luke Negley

We sat on the ledge not saying much as we watched the sun set over the city, we both knew that this was going to be one of the most physical days of climbing either of us had ever done. As the sun ...
Liberty Crack - Natalie Afonina
Expedition

Liberty Crack - Natalie Afonina

My former housemate and really good friend Spang texted me on Monday asking if I was in Washington because she decided to last-minute drive up from California. I sent her a couple classic route pro...
Jason Hardrath Profile
Features

Jason Hardrath Profile

During the tail end of his infinity loop push Jason found himself on a more mellow portion of the Wonderland trail but his pace could only hit 14:30. He knew he should be going much faster but his ...
Mt. Adams, Washington - Adams Glacier Headwall "Ice Extension" (IV, AI3+, 55 deg snow) 06/09/2019 - A perspective by Eric Hardson and Noah Kimmes
Expedition

Mt. Adams, Washington - Adams Glacier Headwall "Ice Extension" (IV, AI3+, 55 deg snow) 06/09/2019 - A perspective by Eric Hardson and Noah Kimmes

Approach was straightforward from Killen Creek TH. Open air bivy at 7,000'. Minor glacier travel with little to no crevasse danger to base of the route. A long, moderate snow slope began at about 9...
The Ruth: A Perspective experience of the Alaska Range By Samuel F. Wilson
Community

The Ruth: A Perspective experience of the Alaska Range By Samuel F. Wilson

I knew visiting the Ruth Gorge for the first time would be awesome, but years of reading, watching, listening, and dreaming about the Alaska Range might as well have been fiction.