Just a few thoughts

The Innsbruck World Climbing (formerly IFSC) event is always a big deal, but this year seemed extra special. First, Sorato Anraku clinched five straight boulder golds, securing the season title for the fourth straight year which has never been done before. Then Janja Garnbret won her 50th (!!) gold medal, more than any other climber in history.

Community & Culture

• Notes of a climber in wartime (Asia Zughaiar, Vertige Media)
• War and Climbing –  A Ukrainian Story, Light in the Shadows (Lacrux)
• Why climbing is definitively political (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)
• LGBTQIA+ in climbing – holding the rope (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)

Innsbruck 2026

• Video Breakdown: Women’s Final 1 – Women’s Final 2 – Women’s Final 3 – Women’s Final 4  (Impact Route Setting)
• Golden 50 For Janja Garnbret (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Anraku Extends Winning Streak With Fifth Consecutive Boulder Gold (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Flash Of Brilliance Sends Sanders to Innsbruck Victory (World Climbing / IFSC)

Comp Scene

• Jun 26 – Jul 3: How To Watch the 2026 Youth National Championships (USAC)
• The Anraku Dynasty – Four Titles And Counting (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Para-climbing – let the games begin, no more bets (Vertige Media)
• Call for Hosts – 2026–2027 CEC Events (Christiane Marceau, CEC)

Crag Scene

• What the EXPLORE Act Means for Climbers (AAC)
• “The Devil’s in the Details” – Feds Open Wilderness Climbing Plans for Comment (Maya Silver, Climbing-dot-com)
• The American Alpine Club Announces 2026 Cutting Edge Grant Winners (AAC)

For Managers

• What to Expect from a Health & Safety Inspection – A Guide for Climbing Wall Operators (Garnet Moore, CWA)
• Tips For Using Your Auto Belay Outdoors (TruBlue Technologies)

For Routesetters

• Jul 14: Routesetting for Elite Community Competitions (ft. Jonathan Brock) (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• Podcast: What We Mean When We Say “Diverse Setting Teams” – Altana Elings-Haynie (Holly Yu Tung Chen, CBJ)
• Podcast: Meet Angus, our new friend from New Zealand (Another Setting Podcast)
• Home Wall Route Setting 201 (Dovi Hirsch, Rockstar Volumes)

Training Tips

• Podcast: Dr. Tyler Nelson – How to Test Critical Force and What to Do With the Results (The Struggle)
• How to Fall When Bouldering – Landing Techniques & Downclimbing Tips (Erin Ergun, Movement Gyms)
• Video: Overcoming Fear and Pain in Climbing – Riley Hess (Dr. Jared Vagy, The Climbing Doctor)
• Video: How to Build Boulders for Training Webinar (Paradigm Climbing)

Many of the links above are from third-party sources, and the views expressed at those links do not necessarily represent the views of the CBJ editorial team. We share this content to help readers stay informed about what is happening in the industry and the community of climbing.