The best rock climbers of today
Rock climbing is a notoriously varied sport, and could actually just be considered a cluster of different sports. You have the climbing of sheer rock faces with the help of supportive gear, meaning you can get higher than you otherwise would; then you have mountaineering which is the less steep option, but more about stamina and reach the summit of a mountain; and finally there's bouldering which involves climbing small but incredible technical routes with no gear whatsoever. These different aspects of climbing are very unique and so require the honing of different skills, making the answer to the question 'who are the best climbers in the world' extremely difficult. But anyway, here is an attempt to answer just that question.
Considered by many to be the best climber in the USA, Chris Sharma is a big name among climbers. What makes him unique is the fact that he doesn't even own a home, contented as he is to just roam from one climb to the next big one, often defeating some of the most technically demanding climbs on the planet. His film, "King Lines" will give you an idea of the kinds of risks this man takes. He takes a place on my list in part because of his notorious skill, but also because of his uncompromising dedication to the climbing lifestyle.
CEO of the mountaineering guide company Himalayan Experience, Russell Brice has been up Mount Everest two times, which surely justifies his place on any such list as this. He has also completed summits like Cho Oyo and Himal Chuli, and was filmed by the Discovery Channel while going up Everest.
Another giant in the climbing world is Dean Potter. But it isn't just climbing he does; when he reaches the top of a route that would turn away many experienced climbers, he turns around and jumps off, letting his parachute go only at the last minute (base jumping, it's called). This man is also well known for his free climbing, where he climbs up dangerous technically demanding routes without any safety equipment whatsoever.
Josune Bereziartu is another climbing giant, and is perhaps the most accomplished female in her field in the world. Hailing from Basque country in Spain she started climbing at the age of 17. She has climbed the most difficult course ever to be completed by a female, the Bain de Sang in 2002, and takes on climbs that even the most talented males would not consider.
Considered by many to be the best climber in the USA, Chris Sharma is a big name among climbers. What makes him unique is the fact that he doesn't even own a home, contented as he is to just roam from one climb to the next big one, often defeating some of the most technically demanding climbs on the planet. His film, "King Lines" will give you an idea of the kinds of risks this man takes. He takes a place on my list in part because of his notorious skill, but also because of his uncompromising dedication to the climbing lifestyle.
CEO of the mountaineering guide company Himalayan Experience, Russell Brice has been up Mount Everest two times, which surely justifies his place on any such list as this. He has also completed summits like Cho Oyo and Himal Chuli, and was filmed by the Discovery Channel while going up Everest.
Another giant in the climbing world is Dean Potter. But it isn't just climbing he does; when he reaches the top of a route that would turn away many experienced climbers, he turns around and jumps off, letting his parachute go only at the last minute (base jumping, it's called). This man is also well known for his free climbing, where he climbs up dangerous technically demanding routes without any safety equipment whatsoever.
Josune Bereziartu is another climbing giant, and is perhaps the most accomplished female in her field in the world. Hailing from Basque country in Spain she started climbing at the age of 17. She has climbed the most difficult course ever to be completed by a female, the Bain de Sang in 2002, and takes on climbs that even the most talented males would not consider.