Introducing the American Climbing Journal by the American Alpine Club. The inaugural journal of record for significant rock climbs. Stories like Adam Ondra flashing Lexicon, E11 or 5.14a R/X. Katie Lamb sending The Dark Side, V16. Connor Herson’s crazy pogo on the first proposed 5.15a trad line—ever.
Building off the world-renowned reputation of the American Alpine Journal, which has documented the cutting-edge of alpine climbing for 97 years, this new book tells the stories of groundbreaking ascents—in the disciplines of bouldering, sport climbing, single-pitch trad, and performance big-wall—almost entirely from the first-person POV of the climbers themselves, supplemented by deeply researched and reported writing.
The 2026 edition will feature stories from or about Sasha DiGiulian, Michaela Kiersch, Noah Wheeler, Jonathan Siegrist, Sungsu Lee, Hamish McArthur, Quinn Mason, Mary Eden, and Seb Berthe, in addition to many local contributors who wrote about rock climbs and areas of regional and global significance.
In a nutshell? The ACJ features gripping, compelling stories about hard rock climbing. Period.
As the editor’s note by Matt Samet explains: “The ACJ, in its first year, is still a work in progress—let us know what you think about the stories and structure. Our exact approach may evolve, but we believe that the idea of an annual yearbook for rock climbing has staying power—rock climbing, after all, is near universally beloved by climbers.”
Download PDF sneak peak.
