Climber Magazine

100 NOT OUT
So, what’s with the headline you may ask? Whilst I love a bit of cricket
it’s not a reference to that glorious game. Nope, it’s the fact that this
is my 100th issue of the magazine that I’ve had the privilege to work
on since I fi rst became editor of Climber. The fi rst issue, along with
Ian Smith as Deputy Editor who was invaluable (until he took a wellearned retirement) was the April 2012 issue with a feature on the
sunny rock of Malta, the main cover story. The fi rst issue I did as sole
owner and publisher was the February 2014 magazine with a very
contrasting cover story about the routes of Ben Nevis in winter.
And it’s certainly been a journey, at times it’s been a breeze, particularly in the early issues before I took a gamble and bought the magazine from the previous publishers who were looking to close the title – I thought that it would be a real shame to lose the old girl. There are times when it’s been a monumental struggle and remains so to keep the magazine alive in print when the majority of climbing magazines across the globe are falling rapidly
by the wayside. This is partly due to the cost of living crisis, falling advertising revenue and rising printing and distribution costs.
Luckily, I’m just about managing to absorb costs for now and thankfully
the magazine is still supported by companies that see the real value of
print (and the connection to the Climber website etc). Interestingly market research across printed media points to a new appetite for print as people become fed up with looking at screens. There’s something about print that is very tactile but I’m preaching to the believers given you are reading this magazine. But enough of that, let’s celebrate the magazine instead and the varied content, quality prose and wonderful photography that has been a pleasure to see, read, and edit over the years. That’s what makes this magazine special and why my job is special.
Until the next issue, be safe.
David