![ethan newman and brendan leonard on Lunar Ecstasy [photo by Matty Van Biene]](https://i0.wp.com/semi-rad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Zion-Big-Walls-featured-photo-a-scaled.jpg?fit=570%2C290&ssl=1)
Hitting A Wall In Zion
by[all photos by Matty Van Biene] [NOTE: 2020 is the tenth year of my blog at Semi-Rad.com, and since I started it, I’ve…
climbing
An Illustrated Story About Anxiety
by—Brendan Thanks for reading. If you’d like to help keep Semi-Rad going, forward this piece…
Should You Do It In Jeans?
byThe bumper stickers about politicians skiing in jeans were first created more than a decade ago, but skiing in jeans has a much longer…
Unsolicited Beta For Snow Shoveling
byHey, how’s it going? Some storm we got last night, huh? You know, I used to shovel the sidewalk and driveway here for the…
The Greatest Alpine Climbing Trip Of All Time
byIt was one of those weekends when everything went right. The weather was perfect—sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and just cool enough…
39 Supportive Things You Can Say To The Climber You’re Belaying
byBecause we all need a little encouragement sometimes: “You got this” “Breathe” “Relax, shake out, and go for it when you’re ready” “You are…
It Could Be Worse
by“Well, it could be worse,” the first climber said to the second one, as the last of the evening light faded around them while…
11 Ways To Let People Know That You Climb 5.12*
byAre you tired of everyone you encounter not recognizing the fact that you climb 5.12? It’s notable enough that climbers and non-climbers alike should…
Anya Miller On Climbing, Cancer, And Creative Strategy
byNOTE: In 2018, I started recording interviews with creatives (writers, filmmakers, podcasters, photographers, editors, etc.) in the adventure world. I’m publishing the highlights of…
Remember When We Were Young?
byMark and I sat in the front window of a Denver coffee shop, talking about aging. Mark was 44, I was 37. Thirty-seven and…
Yes, A Friend Can Make Miserable Things Less Miserable
byI trudge forward, the muddy road tugging at my running shoes, splattering my ankles and shins, as I finish the uphill part of my…
Air Fresheners Based On Real Outdoor Odors
byBecause you know you want your car to smell like your weekend. —Brendan
The Best Semi-Rad Adventure Charts of 2018
byFor the past couple years, I’ve drawn non-scientific charts and other doodles and posted them regularly on my Instagram feed. They’re not always about…
Concerns Internet People Have After The Release Of ‘Free Solo’
byNewspapers, to the greater benefit to society as a whole, have largely done away with comments. Fortunately, the Washington Post still allows them on…
If You Don’t Want To Dawn Patrol, You Can Dusk Patrol
byIt’s (hopefully) common knowledge that if you want to climb a Colorado 14er in the summer, you should be on your way down from…
Other Horns Of Switzerland (Besides The Matterhorn)
byI was in Zermatt last week and was fortunate to gaze upon the incredible Matterhorn, at the south end of town, on posters and…
The One Thing You Need To Know
byTo climb rocks: Use your feet. Despite what you may have seen in Cliffhanger, or depictions of climbing in energy drink ads, rock climbing…
How To Tell People At The Gym You’re Not Climbing The Dawn Wall This Year
byNowadays, every time you’re at the climbing gym, people are coming up to you and asking, “So, are you climbing the Dawn Wall this…
The Story Of The First Ascent
byYou think that last pitch was tough? Do you know about the first ascent of this climb? Well, you’re in luck. I can tell…
20 Things That Take Longer Than Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold’s Ascent of the Nose Took
byOn June 6, Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold broke the speed record for climbing The Nose of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot route that takes…
The People-Pleaser’s Plan For Climbing A Mountain
byHey, I was wondering if you might want to go climbing this weekend? I think it’ll be really fun—if you’re up for it. I…
Affordable Alternatives To The Seven Summits
byWant to climb the Seven Summits? Sure you do. Want to pony up $157,000 (not including flights)? If the answer to that second question…
Why Your Smartphone Is A Great Adventure Tool
byEvery once in a while at a book signing or during an interview, someone asks me: What’s your favorite piece of outdoor gear? I…
None Of This Makes Any Sense And That’s Just Fine
byLast Saturday night, I was running one of my favorite trails in the dark. I had gotten a late start, realized I failed to…
How To Talk To Your Family About Ice Climbing During The Holidays
byIt’s coming: The holiday gatherings with your extended family members who don’t exactly share the same views as you when it comes to outdoor…
The Shortcut Is: There Is No Shortcut
byHere’s something that didn’t happen: Tommy Caldwell, in the days following the first ascent of the Dawn Wall, being interviewed by a journalist about…
Fake Merit Badges For Real Outdoor Achievements
byBecause we all deserve a little recognition for doing things well out there. —Brendan More stories like this in my new book, Bears Don’t…