February 14, 2016

When you talk to Vu Nguyen about climbing, you’ll quickly notice two things: first, he’s very shy, and second, about every few words out of his mouth is “strong." Nguyen is slim, muscular, and nimble, with coiffed hair and a quiet demeanor. Sitting on a beach just off Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, he explains how he scrambled up a 5.13 limestone route and dangled by the hook of his heel for several minutes over the water with ease—without climbing shoes.

February 14, 2016

Seele Aus Stein ("Soul of Stone"), an official selection at Telluride Moutainfilm 2015, is a short film from Taylor Zann and Rainier Films that profiles iconic barefoot climber Bernd Arnold. In the film, Arnold, who has more than 980 first ascents in his 67 years, reflects on overcoming fear and the joy of "managing to overstep your limits" in climbing.  

February 14, 2016

The episode that climbing shoe companies won’t sponsor! This week we meet Charles Albert. He has been climbing in Fontainebleau as long as he can remember. Now he is 18, and he’s probably the only guy who climbs 8th grade problems, barefoot.