Climbing

The Climbing Column is for all climbers (bouldering to big-wall, sandstone to snow) to read about safety and prevention as well as awareness and management of climbing injuries.  Posts range from news accounts to educational guides to interviews and everything in between that relates to climbing and wilderness medicine.

Column Editor: Lainey Yu, DO, MS, FAWM, DiDMM 

 


Innovations in Climbing Safety: Climbing Helmets

Jeff Thurman, MD, DiMM, FACEP, FAEMS, FAWM
February 20, 2024

Modern helmets are marvels of lightweight materials and engineering


Innovations in Climbing Safety

Jeff Thurman, MD, DiMM, FACEP, FAEMS, FAWM
November 21, 2023

Rock protection


Innovations in Climbing Safety: Belay Devices and Techniques

Jeff Thurman, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, FAWM
April 17, 2023

Belaying forms the sacred bond of climbing


In Terms of Safety: Injury in Bouldering versus Rope Climbing

Kristi Tran, MD
March 1, 2023

Insight for both clinicians and climbers


Climbing Anchors

Elaine Yu, DO, MS, FAWM
September 9, 2022

The good, the bad, and the ugly


Cold Montane Environments

Derek DeBruin, WFR
January 7, 2022

Tips to Stay Warm and Dry (and Injury-Free)


Rock Climbing Accidents

Elaine Yu, DO, FAWM
November 1, 2021

2021 Year in Review


Accidents in North American Climbing (ANAC)

Corey Winstead, PA-S2, W/AEMT, FAWM, SPI
May 10, 2021

Accidents in North American Climbing


Age of Evidence-Based Medicine

Corey Winstead
September 16, 2020

Vertical Rescues


Promoting "Peak" Health

Corey Winstead
April 12, 2020

Guided Climbing Considerations in the COVID-19 Era


Communication During Climbing Transitions

R. Bryan Simon, MSc (Mtn Med), RN, FAWM, DiMM
October 22, 2019

How improved communication can help prevent climbing injuries


Climbing Rescue

R. Bryan Simon, MSc (Mtn Med), RN, FAWM, DiMM
August 22, 2019

The importance of understanding common climbing vernacular by SAR


Check Your Gear

R.Bryan Simon, MSc, RN, DiMM, FAWM
June 3, 2019

Gear: Imposters, recalls, and just plain worn out


The Sharp End

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM
July 15, 2017

A discussion with Ashley Saupe, creator of the "Sharp End" podcast...


Climbing: Skin Care for Climbers

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM
December 20, 2016

The skin is the interface between the climber and the climb...


Climbing: Summer Reading List

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM
July 16, 2016

Want to read about your favorite pursuit, your passion, while enjoying time in the mountains?


Climbing: Accidents in North American Moutaineering

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM (UK)
December 28, 2015

No matter how careful we are and how much planning and preparation we undertake prior to climbing, accidents do and will happen...


Vertical Inclination: Climbing Medicine

Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM (UK)
November 1, 2015

'Unspoken Rules' and 'Never Forgets': The Unspoken Rules of Climbing


Climbing: The Internet is No Solution

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM (UK)
July 25, 2015

The opinions shared within the accidents, injuries, and training forums vary from correct, to zany, to downright dangerous...


Climbing: Ropes to the Rescue

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM (UK)
March 15, 2015

No matter how far you are from care or how barren the landscape, a climber can create a litter out of nothing more than a climbing rope to evacuate an ailing partner....


Climbing: The UIAA

R. Bryan Simon, RN, FAWM, DiMM (UK)
October 15, 2014

Featuring an Interview with David Hillebrandt, President UIAA