I've never been a fan of Magz. Yes I do browse threw them at the climbing shops and check my buddies. I usually also read articles that my friends show me because they think I will like them. I promise I don't read every word and sometimes skip whole pages....It's just recycling.
But The Alpinist looked different. What is it? It must be it's size...well I actually bought a couple of those....until the bouldering stuff started. Yup! I was right, it was just the size that made a difference. I'll stick to browsing. I'll keep doing my own recycling but also thanks for doing yours, Alpinist.
The only thing a mag makes me think of is "The Inquirer" stuff. You know the stuff that lines the grocery check-out line. And all that is, is gossip.
Doesn't the annual subscription cost about the same as any other mag from SI to Rock and Ice? Alpinist is a quarterly though. I like everything about it - the quality of the articles is second to none, the pictures are outstanding, and the point of view of the magazine as a whole (alpine style) is excellent.
I think if they change it to a monthly or otherwise, the quality of the articles will decrease.
Don't change it. It's the best climbing magazine, hands down, as is.
IMO the reason that it doesn't get more readers is the cost per issue. I'm gladly willing to pay the premium, however, to not have all the advertising and other crap, and to have good writing and photography.
I had a year subscription to Alpinist. I received 2 out of the 4 issues due me. I'm assuming that my mailman is a climber Buying it in a store has proven to be a more reliable source.
More prompt delivery of issues. I always see the issue that I'm waiting for in stores weeks before I get it in the mail. Otherwise, I love it, and am subscirbed for a couple years.
It's always felt very guy-oriented to me whenever I've read it.
The frequent tales of sick climbs by old men in far off lands just aren't something that I relate too as much.
My favorite parts are almost always the quick-read stuff...probably because it's closer to my own interests: the letters to the editor, the essays written by everyday folks, the cartoons, and the pictures. When I've read longer articles they've tended to be the ones about longer rock climbs in mellower climates.
When there is only one issues every few months and it costs an arm and a leg, I tend to read what interests me at Borders. I've probably bought two issues and was then a little disappointed when I couldn't get into the articles that much at home and found it on the stack just as quickly as an R&I.
Feb 17, 2007, 2:33 AM
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Re: [winkwinklambonini] Why you don't subscribe to ALPINIST
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I was taken back at $13 for a mag but it looked good. No regrets. The content with excellent photo's are Ace! My lunch break is my brain break from work. A newspaper is .75-$1 and it took me 2 1/2 weeks to read cover to cover. All comes out the same. Alpinist is inspirational to what happened years ago and to what is happening on the other side of the world. Get more out of it than USA Today...
I don't subscribe, but I do buy every issue, just because it's easier to dish out 13 bucks every couple of months than it is to dish out 40 or whatever all at once when I have so many other things I want to buy all while saving for a new car as well. Love you magazine though, I would honestly say that I couldn't ask for any change to it.
I've been told that changes to Alpinist are being looked at, what changes would most influence you to subscribe?
First off the title is way stupid, since a considerable amount of the content is about, for example, climbing in Patagonia, which, I'm sorry to say, just ain't got nothing to do with the alpes.
And this whole myth that they're trying to create about pure elitist trad climbing and old school alpinism seems pretty silly. I once knew a real old school 'alpinist' and that guy's idea of 'purity' included yarding up a ladder of fixed pins in to order to avoid struggling on 5.10d free moves. How 'pure' is that?
But as far as I'm concerned, the bottom line is they need more articles about average middle age climbers who mostly boulder and sport climb. After, we have about as much to do with climbing in the alpes as the rest of the stuff that gets published in there.
All this doesn't change my opinion that Alpinist is perhaps the most interesting climbing magazine being published now.
(This post was edited by yanqui on Feb 19, 2007, 2:30 PM)
i don't subscribe, becouse every time i think about it it just seams like a big chunk of change.
yet i've picked up EVERY single issue on the newstand, and will continue to do so. yes, i know i could actually save some money by subscribing, but prefer to spread out the damage. besides, its an excuse to go the bookstore or gearstore, more fun than going to the mailbox.
but it is by far the single best thing in print going on right now.
I actually bought a three year sub for only 46 bucks because you get a killer deal when you are an access fund member. Normally a one year is 46, and three is 120.
Nobody thinks the articles are a problem, and that's a really good sign. One thing I really enjoy in Rock and Ice and Climbing Magazine are the Tech Tips, I like seeing how other people rig their junk-up. That said, my comment is that I think that Alpinist should try to be more technical and not sketch some elite climbing ethos. Furthermore, while I'm making DEMANDS - (of a magazine to which I do not subscribe) - I think that some of the awards like Mugs Stump should have more public transparancy - not because I doubt their sincerity, but because I'd like to hear, from the hard-men, what they would climb if they could get there - kind of like American Idol - becasue, in the end, Alpinist would be better if it was more like American Idol.thanksforreadingmypostmoron.
I'll have to also go with the unlisted "because I'm not an alpinist". I will say that it is an excellent high quality mag, though a little pricey. What I would like to see is a different mag from the same makers that focuses on rock climbing, which I find more interesting since I actually do that. Just my 2¢.
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Buying it in a store has proven to be a more reliable source. 
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