Alpinist Magazine

Issue 91 features a story and photography by Vitaliy Musiyenko, who writes about growing up as a Ukrainian immigrant who struggled with health problems and to afford clothes, sharing how he discovered that impossible is just a word and became one of today’s top alpinists.

Elsewhere in the magazine, Paula LaRochelle interviews the outspoken Slovenian alpinist Marko Prezelj, whose career has spanned generations and four Piolet d’Or awards (which he has famously denounced). The two discuss philosophies on climbing and life, considering the ways our passions shape us and our loved ones. Bernadette McDonald breathes new life into a forgotten past—how, in 1975, Wanda Rutkiewicz led a team of Polish women and men to overcome social and economic barriers, stormy weather, internal conflict and self-doubt to stand on the summit of Gasherbrum III, the tallest unclimbed peak at the time.

Meanwhile, Derek Franz considers the responsibilities of storytelling at a time when there is deep mistrust in the media. Max Miller and Abbey Collins share reading recommendations. Franz interviews Soline Kentzel. And Miller pulls a famous shoe out of storage in the Gunks.

Will Gadd shares his secret stash, along with some wisdom, after spending three years quietly developing the best new ice climbs of his life with Kirk Mauthner in Canada. Anton Korsun gets lost in America. Hannah Provost confronts a bear. Collins shares magic with her parents. Akihiro Oishi opens Pandora’s box. Chris Ketchum writes a poem. Christopher Elliott weighs moral responsibilities in the face of fascism. Kapil Bisht visits with Chewang Rinjing Sherpa. Anna Hazlett finds Love on Medlicott Dome. And much, much more.