Sterling Solid

I spent most of my life rock climbing. For a very long time my sole focus was where to go climbing and exploring next. I would search for the best crags around the world and was really too busy climbing to have ever entertained the idea of having … read more about Top Tips for Families to Go Rock Climbing

What are All the Wonderful Ways to Use Accessory Cord? If you love the outdoors, you know that having versatile and reliable gear can make all the difference. Sterling’s nylon accessory cord is one of those indispensable items … read more about Top uses for Accessory Cord

Have you ever had a big goal? The kind of goal for which you spend a lot of time preparing, so much effort planning, and getting everything 100% right just for a possibility of succeeding? Then, the month, the day, the moment, the second to attemp … read more about Katie McKinstry: Climb A Line Above The Sky

In my mind, a mentor is someone with deep knowledge of their area, someone who always has “the answer” to every question. They are someone with wisdom, truth and years of experience. They know the how and the why to all the intricacies … read more about Becoming a Mentor

In August 2023, the young climbing community of Malawi in southeast Africa took part in educational climbing workshops through the Global Climbing Initiative’s Climbing Leadership Fund. Mentored by a team of instructors from the US … read more about Climbing Dreams: Nurturing a Revolution in Malawi's Vertical Landscape

Amity Warme climbing Tainted Love Photography by Rachel Ross Projecting a trad climb can be an extremely fun, rewarding, and engaging process, but it can also seem more intimidating than projecting a boulder or well bolted sport climb. … read more about Projecting a Trad Climb

Gaz in Jamaica Photo by Well Good Media I’ve always been curious. Curious of people, places, traditions, and outlooks. It is here that I am most easily able to see the beauty of life, its differences and similarities. In my spare … read more about PitchFest 1: Gaz in Jamaica

Kevin Lindlau Kara Vogler Chapter 3 of 3Climbing with Kevin Lindlau in Italy Everyone has experienced feeling nervous about something. Maybe it’s everyday life things like a presentation at work, a job interview, asking someo … read more about Battling Headgame

Kevin Lindlau Kara Vogler Chapter 2 of a 3-part SeriesClimbing with Kevin Lindlau in Italy The best way to achieve a goal is to break it into smaller, bite sized pieces. When a climber learns a new route, they think about it one mo … read more about One Bite at a Time

Kevin Lindlau Kara Vogler Chapter 1 of a 3-part SeriesClimbing with Kevin Lindlau in Italy Sometimes we avoid the big goal. The anxiety provoking, maybe “scary” goal. The one we are procrastinating because it’s da … read more about The Courage to Try

Sterling Athletes All-women’s team Sterling is proud to support the first all-women’s team to compete at GRIMP NA, an international rescue skills challenge hosted by CMC on the Battleship Iowa in LA, California- taking place on March … read more about Spotlight: GRIMP's First All-Women's Team

Amity climbing Psycho B (5.13b). The first female ascent of the 6-pitch line in Yosemite. Photo credit: Samuel Crossley What do you love about climbing? I thrive on the opportunity to push myself both physically and mentally. Cl … read more about Get to Know Amity Warme

Kieran Duncan - In my work as a rock climbing photographer, I spend a lot of time dangling on ropes in a harness packed with equipment. Some of it is for cameras, some for safety, and some just for comfort or convenience. After 10 years … read more about Capturing the Climb: Top Gear for Climbing Photographers

Photo Credit: Will Saunders @willsaundersphoto I lay in blood and excrement on the floor of an old Omani Royal Air force Eurocopter. The deafening drone of the rotor blades makes my head throb as I stare blankly at the ceiling. The t … read more about Gaz Leah: Life and Death in Oman

Matt Wentzell Hit the SOS button, who's coming to get you? Matt Wentzell We’ve all been there, or perhaps know someone who has: climbing in a remote location and the weather takes a turn, someone gets injured, or conditions … read more about Who's Coming to Get You?

Down and Out Ben Rueck We are a company who supports failure. Without the expectation of falls, a slippery foot, or the hold that blows – we would not be the company who ultimately supports your efforts to ascend. Our athlete team … read more about Down and Out

Our Athlete Manager, Heidi Shingleton (dubbed “Minister of Culture” here at Sterling), scooped up our youngest team member, Abigail Humber, (with her mom and coach’s permission of course) and took her on an impromptu 4 … read more about Expanding Horizons: Heidi and Abigail's Colorado Adventure

Every piece of gear you buy has some information written on it, and probably comes with a bunch of paperwork included too. If you are like most of us, when that shiny new carabiner or beautiful new rope arrives, you tear all the packagi … read more about Goodbye NFPA 1983 (Sort Of)

Sterling Athlete Anna Pfaff Summer, 2022 I had always wanted to climb in Alaska. With its epic peaks and stories of alpine endeavors, I knew my time to go there would come sooner than later. This past April I found myself boarding a … read more about Dyad Performance Review on Mount Huntington, Alaska

Sterling Athlete Rob Pizem climbed over 100,000 vertical feet on an early prototype sample of XEROS and never even trimmed the ends. He did this as an extreme test of durability. We do not recommend pushing the life of your rope so long … read more about XEROS Climbing Rope Testing

Photo taken by Joe Stylos Congratulations to Sterling Athlete Kevin Lindlau on sending his long-term project "A Line Above the Sky" D15 in the Italian Dolomites. This is significant as the climb has seen relatively few ascents over t … read more about Kevin Lindlau Sends "A Line Above the Sky" D15

In honor of Sterling’s 25 years of making the world’s finest rope and cord, we are celebrating our partners who have helped us get to where we are today. We will be profiling 25 dealers and partners across the industries we … read more about 25 Years, 25 Partners. Profile #1: Colorado Mountain School

Growing up in northeastern Ohio in the 1980’s with a climber in the family was rare. That was not my experience. I participated in traditional sports and never learned about rock climbing until I was nearly 19 years old. So I have … read more about Rob Pizem: Focus on What's Important

In partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, we helped plant nearly 665,000 trees in an important ecosystem devastated by Hurricane Michael. This year marked a huge achievement for Vertical Supply Group (VSG). In 2021, we became a car … read more about Arbor Day Foundation Recap 2021

Photo by @dscottclarkphoto On behalf of the whole team at The Global Climbing Initiative as well as Climb Malawi, I want to extend a massive thank you for supporting our community training and route development expedition in Malawi this … read more about GCI Malawi Trip Report

Last month, we supported the first Rescue from Trees program, hosted by the Summit Township Fire Department in Jackson, Michigan. Sixteen firefighters, representing both career and volunteer departments participated in the three-day pro … read more about The Inaugural Rescue From Trees Program Training Recap

Ben Rueck Columns of streaked orange and blue tufa stalactites melted from the cave’s roof. Alluring, fascinating— an amalgamation of crimps, jugs, and three-dimensional limestone across a horizontal plane piqued my curio … read more about Do What You Can

Felipe Nordenflycht @felipesh https://www.felipesh.com/ I have dreamt about trying to onsight Moonlight Buttress for years. This iconic route ascends a prominent prow of immaculate sandstone for over 1000 feet of finger crack deligh … read more about Onsighting Moonlight Buttress

Ben Crawford Photo credits: Thank you to Savannah Cummins for the photos of Kyle and the climbing team. The Modern Era of Climbing Climbing as a sport and a lifestyle has undergone a rapid transformation in the past decade. What wa … read more about The Importance of Mentorship in Climbing

Hayes Range in interior Alaska This spring, four of my closest friends and I were involved in a serious accident in the Hayes Range in interior Alaska. We were on the slopes of Mt. Skarland, moving through a low-angle scree and talus … read more about How Mountain Education Saved My Friend's Life

Lifesaving Resources https://lifesaving.com/ Here at Sterling Rope, we are committed to producing the best life safety products in the world. In order to build a great product, we first need to know how it will be used in the real w … read more about Q and A with the Owner of Lifesaving Resources

Jesse Grupper, World Cup Photos by Eddie Fowke. CHAMONIX, FRANCE - The second World Cup of the season. I’m coming off of my performance in Villars, which was my first time making semifinals in a World Cup. So I know I can perfo … read more about Battling Imposter Syndrome in World Cup Climbing

Monique Forestier Tiger Cat (graded 33, 8c, 5.14b) My initial attempts on the 35-meter route called Tiger Cat (graded 33, 8c, 5.14b) were very encouraging indeed. I thought that this one would go down quickly. But surprisingly it bec … read more about Monique Forestier Tames Tiger Cat

After doing five free routes on El Capitan, in El Rappitan style (rappelling in from the top to rehearse to moves), I wanted a different experience. After Sonnie Trotter and Alex Honnold pioneered the all free, Pineapple Express variation ar … read more about Nik Berry on 'Ground-Up' Climbing

From Shannon Johnson We asked Sterling Athletes, Friends and Partners to share some of their top holiday gift ideas, wants and wishes for the New Year. Here’s what we got: “25’ of V-TX™ Cord, perfect for a l … read more about Ideas, Wants & Wishes

STERLING ATHLETE SARAH KAMPF Writing a review about my 2019 climbing season sounded pretty simple to me at first. What could be easier than talking about what you have experienced yourself during a year of climbing? But this task tur … read more about The Art of "Unambitious Ambition"

Albert Leichtfried, Sterling Athlete Photo by Hannes Mair, www.alpsolut.com Part I Iceland – where you can feel nature’s forces in an unrivalled manner. A land full of contrasts, the land of the origin. Albert Leichtfie … read more about ICELAND - A Journey Back to the Origin

So, the plan was pretty simple. Climb the 7 main big walls in Yosemite in 7 days. El Cap Leaning Tower Mt Watkins Washington Column Half Dome Liberty Cap El Cap Spire It’s funny because this is usually something I’ … read more about Seven Walls in Seven Days

Mike Morin North East Director of the Access Fund Rattlesnake Mountain in central New England is world-renowned for some of the best climbing in the states. But with increased visitors and more than 700 routes up its schist rock clif … read more about Without Further Belay: Rumney Rehab

Sterling Athlete Abigail Humber Trebuchet (First Female Ascent) 5.14b/8c ✔Abigail Humber ticks the box for the first female ascent of Trebuchet 5.14b/8c in the New River Gorge. Trebuchet is described as bouldery, pumpy and contai … read more about Abigail Humber Nabs the First Female Ascent of Trebuchet 5.14b

Climber Rob Pizem I went to Zion National Park to climb with two new partners over the Thanksgiving week of 2018. Our goal was to establish a new multi-pitch climb deep within the Zion Narrows along the Virgin River. The funny thing … read more about Becoming a Modern Climber's Mentor

Jimmy Keithley, Sterling Ambassador Photo credit: Jonathan Vickers At Sterling, we see the importance safety in climbing, and a part of that is crag maintenance- specifically replacing aging bolts. That’s why we support nationa … read more about Ode to the Bolt

Sterling Athlete Kevin Lindlau Cinematographer Nathan Norby Sterling Athlete Kevin Lindlau met up with Cinematographer Nathan Norby is to make a short film on a new dry tooling route Kevin Lindlau and Joe just put up. The new route … read more about Kevin and the Cave

For the past three summers, Veterans Expeditions (VetEx) has run a Pacific Northwest climbing series where teams of veterans have tackled many of the classic climbs in the area including Glacier Peak, Eldorado Peak, Mt Hood, Mt Shasta, … read more about Veterans Expeditions: Summer Missions in the PNW

Profiling 25 dealers and partners Photo credit: Jared Alden, 2010. In honor of Sterling’s 25 years of making the world’s finest rope and cord, we are celebrating our partners who have helped us get to where we are today. … read more about 25 Years, 25 Partners. Profile #2: Jim Shimberg

Matt Hunt, Work Market Sales Manager at Sterling walks us through the WorkPro Series of Static ropes for the rescue world. The 3/8" Diameter is good for backcountry rescue, the 7/16" is a good general all-around rescue rope, and the 1/2 … read more about WorkPro Series Ropes for Rescue Industry

Mike Libecki in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica on the first ascent of Bertha's Tower, named in honor of Libecki's Grandmother. Photo by Cory Richards For me climbing is the deepest mediation to be truly in the 'now.' Especially on a fi … read more about Mike Libecki: Climbing "In the Now"

Overview – This training was held for Sterling staff with the purpose of familiarizing all in attendance with the standards, practices, tools, regulations, and lingo of rescue personnel subject to NFPA compliance. It was taught by … read more about Training Report: NFPA Operations Level Rescue Training

Liz McLellan, Marketing Director and host of Between Two Hanks welcomes amateur videographer and jewelry maker Erin Weimer onto this episode to teach us how to make Sterling accessory cord earrings for the special climbing partner in your li … read more about Between two Hanks, Episode 6: How to Make Your Own Rope Jewelry

Originally posted on Pete Whittaker's Facebook page. Photo credits: Helliker/Whittaker collection (c) Standing at the bar at Kendal Mountain Film Festival, Matt Helliker leaned over and asked, ‘So... do you fancy some winter cl … read more about Pete Whittaker: Winter Climbing?

Every fall, Ice Axe Expeditions runs their Antarctica Ski Cruise bringing approximately 25 guides from around the world together with their guests to experience one of the most unique ski mountaineering trips in the world. Just gettin … read more about A Trip of A Lifetime: Antarctica

Liz, Sterling's Marketing Director hosts Sterling's R&D Process Engineer, Chuck Weber to talk about the UIAA Certified dry climbing ropes we have, labeled DryXP. Find out what DryXP is, and why it's a critical safety measure when you're … read more about Between Two Hanks, Episode 5: DryXP

Liz, Sterling's Marketing Director hosts Sterling's Marketing Intern, Lucy the Dog, to talk about Sterling's new dog leashes, made out of repurposed climbing rope. These 6' leashes are Lucy's favorite for sniffing and chasing squirrels. … read more about Between two Hanks, Episode 4: Sterling Dog Leashes

Ben Rueck Sterling Athlete Life used to be simple. As kids we’d embrace perceived failures by crying, throwing a tantrum, and then moving onto the next adventure or random life encounter without a second thought. So what happen … read more about Intention vs. Expectation

In this video, Liz talks to Alex from our Climb and Outdoor Sales team about great gift ideas under $50 for the climber in your life. Scroll down for Part II where they talk about ropes! Shop Gift Ideas for Climbers in the $10-$50 Ra … read more about Between Two Hanks, Episode 1: Holiday Gifts for Climbers

With the unexpected early close of the ice park due to high temperatures and melting ice, I was apprehensive about how much I would enjoy this trip. I had had a busy week, my car was in the shop, I wasn’t sure if I’d know ma … read more about A Day in Ouray Climbing With Paradox Sports

Sterling: What got you into climbing? Kevin: I went to the grand opening of my local climbing gym when I was 10. It was 1995, it was totally packed and I probably only got a few climbs in, but that was the catalyst. I think every kid cl … read more about Interview Session with Kevin Jorgeson

Sterling Athlete Rob Pizem A few weekends ago I made time to meet up with my friends Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall. They were on their now semi annual trip into Canyonlands National Park to work on new roof crack climbs and their me … read more about Piz Spends a Day with the Wideboyz

Rob Pizem Sterling Athlete Since bolting this climb in 2015, I have been struggling to open it up properly with a first free ascent. I was drawn to the climb because it splits a clean, slightly overhanging white and yellow wall with … read more about The Infinity Round Project

Despite the heat warnings in Squamish and a thick smoke that filled the air from BC wildfires, we stuck with the plan to climb a line that deeply peaked my curiosity. Described as a “steep trad route that climbs right over a big rap … read more about Leslie Timms: Into the Mystic

We climbed a route on the Father and Son’s Wall on Denali. It was a variation to ‘First Born’ the initial line of ascent which Eli Helmuth and Steve House climbed in 1995. Our climb took 73 hours on May 10-12, 2016. Af … read more about 73-Hour Adventure on the Father and Son's Wall in Denali

Typical Indian Creek Splitter Indian Creek, known for its splitter cracks, has over 1,000 routes of all sizes and lengths. Problem solving for the leader includes what length of rope to carry or whether to carry a lead line and a tag … read more about Rope Choices for Climbing at Indian Creek

Mount Moran view from Oxbow Bend beside Snake River Grand Teton, Wyoming "The Grand Teton is in my backyard. I love climbing and skiing this mountain and it was killing me to see all the trash on the mountain. So I thought I'd do so … read more about Mark Smiley Updates Anchors at Grand Teton

Pamela Moulton Franco-American artist Pamela Moulton, a Franco-American artist currently based out of Portland, Maine weaves Sterling rope and fibers into her art installations. Her latest work, called the Interactive Map of Emotion … read more about Sterling Rope Takes New Shapes in the Form of Art

Craig Luebben Topher Tonahue With a goal of $25,000 by the end of 2018 and $50,000 by 2019, the 10-year anniversary of Luebben’s death, Sterling will kick-off the fundraising with a match initiative to encourage others to donat … read more about AMGA and Sterling Create Craig Luebben Education Fund

We sat down with the talent and director of the award-winning FCX Fire Escape films for a look behind the curtain at what it was like to make these videos. Sterling: Who was more of a diva on set- the EMT’s or the Firefighters?D … read more about FCX Escape Systems: Q&A With Cast and Crew of the FCX Videos

Frank Sanders is a professional rock climber and guide for over 45 years and has climbed Devils Tower thousands of times. This is his story about America's first National Monument. Video is produced by Great Big Story as part of their celebr … read more about The Power of Devils Tower

Paola on the first pitch of an unknown Unnamed route in the W. Fjords Iceland is a magical land, shaped by fire and ice, with 80% of it considered "wild"; most of the interior is uninhabitable. This winter, three Chicks guides and fi … read more about Nano IX: The Ideal Rope for Ice Climbing in Iceland

I love the concept of The Freedom to Focus, as it reminds me of what I’ve been working on in all my climbing pursuits this year, which is complete focus and absolute joy. A few years ago I realized I had strayed away from sport cl … read more about Ann Raber: Climbing with Joy

Photo credit: Jeff Rueppel I was trapped. I traced the two lines attached to my harness back to China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest’s floor 60 meters below and gradually realized that half ropes were much more difficult t … read more about Ben Rueck: Dental Floss and Shoe String

I turn around and see the flash of light as if the unforgivable curse, "Avada Kedavra," has just been uttered right next to me. I look out directly in front of me and a kilometer away I see the blinding bolt flicker and freeze in the sk … read more about Jesse Grupper: Lightning on the Mountain

Climb: Pure Imagination (Red River Gorge) @acutclimbing Photos by: Dylan Connole @dconnole8 "Set a Goal so big that you can't achieve it until you grow into the person who can." This has recently become my mantra in approaching dif … read more about Andy Cutler: Big Goals

Sterling Rope Company, Inc. unveils a Design Clinic project through Smith College’s Picker Engineering Program. As a leading US-manufacturing company, Sterling will work with a team of students for the 2016-2017 academic year to d … read more about Press Release: Collaborative Project with Smith College

Mark Smiley Sterling Team Athlete The East Buttress of Middle Triple Peak has been on our mind for a while. Janelle and I both knew it would be one of the hardest climbs on the Fifty Classic Climbs of North America list. Royal Robbin … read more about Mark Smiley: East Buttress, Middle-Triple Peak

As part of our product development and improvement process, this past spring I attended an ice and swiftwater rescue class. This course was taught by Lifesaving Resources, a nationally recognized training company that is based right in … read more about Ice and Swiftwater Rescue Training

Mark Smiley Sterling Team Athlete “Oh the North Face aye, that’s a pretty hard route, and it is not in good climbing condition now,” the gear shop employee said with a hint of who-are-you-and-do-you-have-the-search- … read more about Mark Smiley: Oh The North Face, Aye