
BABSI FLASHES FREE RIDER
A film documenting the first flash ascent of El Capitan by BD Athletes Babsi Zangerl and Jacopo Larcher.
Add 100 EUR more to quality for free Shipping!
€0,00 EUR
Once back on the ground I got more candid with some of the in-house BD Korea team, as a few of the older climbers told me about the history of the area and countless days and weeks they had spent on these walls while camping in the forest below, which was now forbidden. As I chatted with one of the older members he started telling the story of American Russ Clune’s trip to Seoul many years ago. He echoed the similar tales of an exciting time in Korean Climbing, the onslaught of new free-routes and the beginnings of lifelong friendships. Ho-jin Jung, now the president of Black Diamond Korea and still an avid climber today, asked if I could tell Russ he said says “Hi” next time I see him. I flipped my phone around and we took a selfie together, which I then sent to Russ right there from the base of the route.
-Colette McInerney
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020
In fact, beginning in the mid-1980’s, a chance meeting with the psyched climbers of South Korea has now blossomed into one of BD’s strongest partnerships. As South Korea continues to make waves in the global climbing community with young phenoms such as Chaehyun Seo routinely shattering barriers and winning world cups, BD Athletes Hazel Findlay and Colette McInerney wanted to explore Black Diamond’s Korean roots, and experience the now thriving climbing culture that has become part of our global heritage. Check out this beautiful film made by Colette, for a glimpse into the world of South Korean climbing.
Videos and Images: Colette McInerney
“You’re going to South Korea!” Russ Clune enthusiastically repeated back to me after I did indeed say I was going to South Korea for a climbing trip with fellow BD athlete Hazel Findlay.
“If you see Ho-jin Jung tell him I said hi!” I hated to break it to Russ that the chances of me running into a climber he had rendezvoused with on the granite cliffs outside of Seoul over 20 years ago was highly unlikely. Instead I smiled politely as Russ continued to boast about his past trip, love for the island and the plentiful rock there. He explained how during his trip back in 1985 the rules of Korean trad climbing where still being laid. Many routes were still being aided and had yet to be free climbed. Russ arrived full of his usual New York candor and fresh out of Yosemite’s bustling free climbing scene. Under the guidance of Ho-Jin Jung, Russ was invited to try a number undone lines, many of which he established first free ascents of, and in the process he created a life long friend with Jung.
Though we were diving deep into the traditional routes of the Korean climbing community, Hazel was encouraged to present a video and teach a few clinics at a local climbing gym, which meant we also had a chance to meet with up-and-coming phenom and competition climber, Chaehyun Seo. Not only had she already sent 14d/9a outdoors at age 14, but in the months following our meet up with her in Seoul she took first place at her second World Cup competition securing a place for herself in the Olympics. Many have wondered about the special sauce Korean climbers have been taking the last years while they continue to dominate competition wins. What I saw were highly motivated communities that stemmed from the top down. They didn’t segregate or pronounce any one aspect of climbing to be more important than the next. They were all climbers in it together who strived to push themselves and the sport as a whole to the next level.
On one of our final days, Wookyung and Soohang proposed a group climb of the famous “Chouinard A” route at Insubong Peak with some employees from the BD Korea office. At first we felt a bit apprehensive about so many people climbing on the same route, with language barriers at belays and trying to capture some media at the same time. Our worries were quickly dismantled as everyone there was an expert climber with even one of Korea’s professional climbers Myounghee Lee joining us for the day.
A film documenting the first flash ascent of El Capitan by BD Athletes Babsi Zangerl and Jacopo Larcher.
BD Athletes Aaron Mulkey and Yannick Glatthard take the new Hydra into the backcountry of Montana in search of steep ice and...
BD Athletes Aaron Mulkey and Yannick Glatthard take the new Hydra into the backcountry of Montana in search of steep ice and mixed climbing.
Close
Follow Dorian Densmore and Mya Akins for a month-long, exploratory mission in the Chugach Mountains.
Two BD legends walk into the Valley. What happens next? Watch and see.
With ski season kicking off, the QA Lab crew dives deep into the world of electromagnetic interference and how it can affect...
With ski season kicking off, the QA Lab crew dives deep into the world of electromagnetic interference and how it can affect backcountry safety.
Close
Light is right, but steel is real. So, when it comes to ice screws, what’s the deal? In this QC Lab, Will...
Light is right, but steel is real. So, when it comes to ice screws, what’s the deal? In this QC Lab, Will Gadd and Matt Berry thread their way to the source of truth when it comes to aluminum vs. steel ice screws.
Close
She was many things—a Stonemaster, an outdoor industry visionary, a physicist. A rock dropped into a pond that created ripples, affecting many...
She was many things—a Stonemaster, an outdoor industry visionary, a physicist. A rock dropped into a pond that created ripples, affecting many lives and generations of climbers. This is the story of our unsung hero, our co-founder.
Close
Go ahead, take the whip. You’ve got a trucker bolt just below. But wait … you sure about that? In this Gear...
Go ahead, take the whip. You’ve got a trucker bolt just below. But wait … you sure about that? In this Gear Myths, Kolin “KP” Powick shares a recent close call, which resulted in an exploration of safety protocol when it comes to sport climbing.
Close
The QC Lab team is joined by IFMGA Mountain Guide Mark Smiley to discuss the subtle art of building, testing, and using...
The QC Lab team is joined by IFMGA Mountain Guide Mark Smiley to discuss the subtle art of building, testing, and using snow anchors.
Close
Follow these expert pointers on how to properly build out your very first trad rack.
A look into the technology and construction of an essential tool for hiking and trail running.
Find out from the experts at Black Diamond, the tips to find the best rock climbing harness for you.
In this Gear Myths, we’re opening the lid (pun intended) on the topic of helmets—more specifically, how climbers decide when to wear...
In this Gear Myths, we’re opening the lid (pun intended) on the topic of helmets—more specifically, how climbers decide when to wear helmets and a few predictions on the future of the brain bucket.
Close
Physical Therapist Esther Smith joined BD Bootcamp for a few days to work with BD Athletes Babsi Zangerl, Daila Ojeda and Colette...
Physical Therapist Esther Smith joined BD Bootcamp for a few days to work with BD Athletes Babsi Zangerl, Daila Ojeda and Colette McInerney to address any injuries they had before training. This article will highlight Babsi’s treatment protocol as her shoulder injury was limiting her ability to climb and train. Esther shares what optimal shoulder posture looks like when climbing, hanging and training.
Close
Follow BD athlete Sam Elias and filmmaker Mike Call in this exploration of climbing legacy and land stewardship while rebolting classic routes...
Follow BD athlete Sam Elias and filmmaker Mike Call in this exploration of climbing legacy and land stewardship while rebolting classic routes with the next generation.
Close
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions. This round we talk about carabiners.
In this article, we’re sharing our tips on what to wear while bouldering, sport climbing, or multi-pitch & alpine rock climbing.
Featuring young crushers and BD Ambassadors Tanner Bauer and Chris Deuto, this film captures the magic of two friends on a summer...
Featuring young crushers and BD Ambassadors Tanner Bauer and Chris Deuto, this film captures the magic of two friends on a summer mission to climb the iconic golden arete of Doubloons (5.14b) in the Colorado alpine.
Close
A documentary film currently debuting in film festivals around the world.
Watch Connor claim the coveted second ascent of this California testpiece.
We see it all the time. People at the cliff with one or two daisy chains girth hitched to their belay loop...
We see it all the time. People at the cliff with one or two daisy chains girth hitched to their belay loop or tie-in points, and using them as a personal anchor system when at an anchor. Wrong.
Close
We see it all the time. People at the cliff with one or two daisy chains girth hitched to their belay loop...
We see it all the time. People at the cliff with one or two daisy chains girth hitched to their belay loop or tie-in points, and using them as a personal anchor system when at an anchor. Wrong.
Close
The following QC Lab was originally posted years back after Todd Skinner died in Yosemite when his belay loop broke.
The bigger the better, right? Well, not so fast. In this QC Lab, Quality Engineer Hunter Gvozdich goes deep into the world...
The bigger the better, right? Well, not so fast. In this QC Lab, Quality Engineer Hunter Gvozdich goes deep into the world of testing to explore the strengths and weaknesses of our new monster cams—the #7 and #8 Camalots.
Close
It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to Kyle Dempster, one of our climbing ambassadors and a dear friend to...
It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to Kyle Dempster, one of our climbing ambassadors and a dear friend to many of us in the BD family.
Close
Gear Myths: Essential Climbing Knots, Figure 8 vs Double Bowline
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions. This time we talk about connecting slings.
Remember that weathered tree tat you were eyeing? Or how ‘bout that 20-year-old rope you found sitting in a basement completely unused?...
Remember that weathered tree tat you were eyeing? Or how ‘bout that 20-year-old rope you found sitting in a basement completely unused? Rest assured. KP and the QC Lab crew head to the testing room to answer your age-old question … how strong is it?
Close
Here's the question we get asked probably more than any other: "Can I use a Sharpie to mark the middle of my...
Here's the question we get asked probably more than any other: "Can I use a Sharpie to mark the middle of my rope? "Our answer: "I don't know."
Close
Ever wondered exactly how strong a cam placed in “umbrella” mode actually is? Or what about the strength of your knotted slings?...
Ever wondered exactly how strong a cam placed in “umbrella” mode actually is? Or what about the strength of your knotted slings? Don’t despair!
Close
In this QC Lab, BD’s Climbing Category Director Kolin Powick (aka KP) digs into the world of Personal Anchor Systems. How should...
In this QC Lab, BD’s Climbing Category Director Kolin Powick (aka KP) digs into the world of Personal Anchor Systems. How should they be used? And what happens if they’re MIS-USED??? Well, buckle up and take a ride with KP and the QC crew as they journey into the complex world of the PAS.
Close
In this Gear Myths, we talk about your quickdraw orientation preference. More specifically, opposing the gates or having them face the same...
In this Gear Myths, we talk about your quickdraw orientation preference. More specifically, opposing the gates or having them face the same direction? And more importantly, does it matter?
Close
Follow BD Athlete Antte Lauhamaa on an exploratory winter mission in the remote Scandinavian Mountains of Sweden.
This film contributes to the rising tide of voices elevating the importance of safeguarding the Grand Canyon region against uranium extraction in...
This film contributes to the rising tide of voices elevating the importance of safeguarding the Grand Canyon region against uranium extraction in its watershed.
Close
Featuring blind athlete and BD Product Developer Seneida Biendarra on her emotional journey to gold at the 2023 Paraclimbing World Cup in...
Featuring blind athlete and BD Product Developer Seneida Biendarra on her emotional journey to gold at the 2023 Paraclimbing World Cup in Salt Lake City.
Close
Watch these BD shredders send it in South America.
Watch the uncut of BD athlete Babsi Zangerl sending the iconic Yosemite trad testpiece.
In the first of the Hard Sends series, BD athlete Seb Bouin takes us to Pic Saint Loup near his home in...
In the first of the Hard Sends series, BD athlete Seb Bouin takes us to Pic Saint Loup near his home in France, where he attempts the first ascent of ACL (5.15b)—a route he bolted in memory of his grandfather.
Close
Black Diamond Ambassador Will Gadd offers advice for building a Plice, a.k.a plywood ice.
It's hard to find a climber who hasn't experienced elbow pain at some point. You’ve likely lowered from many a route rubbing...
It's hard to find a climber who hasn't experienced elbow pain at some point. You’ve likely lowered from many a route rubbing your elbow to ease a nagging ache in your arm. Such was the case with BD Ambassador Brittany Griffith … that is, until she met Esther Smith. In the second installment of their Hang Right series, Physical Therapists Esther Smith and Katey Blumenthal explain the cause of elbow pain and tell us what we can do about it.
Close