Apr 27, 2011, 4:21 PM
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Registered: Feb 8, 2011
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I read them for the pictures
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So, I am considering, only considering getting a subscription to one of the many climbing magazines out there. This is my n00b moment for the day so I figured this should go in the beginner section although I think this is a relevant question.
I am familiar with some of the more behemoth magazines like Urban Climber, Climbing, Rock and Ice and the Alpinist, and I am interested in your take on these as well. However, are there other less popular climbing magazines with a bit more edgy content that are not as popular as well?
Alpinist has the best pure climbing stories and writing, but a lot of it is high mountain stuff which you may or may not like.
I like the writers for R&I more than Climbing and usually the photos too, but that's just me. Actually, I have a subscription to Climbing since some company sent me the wrong rope in the middle of a road trip. Guess they were trying to make it up to me?
If it is the pictures you want, you are on the internet ... do a search and save the money.
Its not really the pics I am interested in. The content is the most important thing to me but I wanted to introduce the thread with an icebreaker.
Alpinist.
Unless you want half of the mag to be poorly concealed adverts for gear, and for the photos to be uncomfortably similar to those seen in "the worst pictures of RC.com" thread.
As a fair weather climber (no ice or alpine), do people think I would be interested in alpinist? It's getting some good reviews in here and that is the only mag I have never read an issue of since I assumed it was focused on alpine climbing.
I got a scrip to Climbing because every Christmas they have a special for $10, which seemed reasonable for a year and I enjoy it, but the adds are a little much and the gear review issue you might as well throw out.
As a fair weather climber (no ice or alpine), do people think I would be interested in alpinist? It's getting some good reviews in here and that is the only mag I have never read an issue of since I assumed it was focused on alpine climbing.
I got a scrip to Climbing because every Christmas they have a special for $10, which seemed reasonable for a year and I enjoy it, but the adds are a little much and the gear review issue you might as well throw out.
If you enjoy good writing, it's likely that you will enjoy Alpinist.
Urban Climber and Climbing appeal to nOOBs and the gym crowd. R&I and Alpinist are greared for more experienced climbers. Having said that, they all will have info that is useful and may be worth reading.
Can you get Vertical in the US? They have an english version, but i think they are only selling it in GB.
Probably similar to Alpinist?
At least its the only mag i read. Obviously i have an euro/german perspective on the whole climbing mag market, but from the few amerikan mags i have read, it seems like it is the same, no matter which continent.
Adds, adds, adds, adds disguised as articles, adds, some n00b crap, some "the best unknown area where you will experience true climbing" shit, that will ruin that area, adds, some article actually worth reading, but not exactly worth the money you spent on the mag, adds, porn pic, adds.
Maybe alpinism is still not trendy enough for all of that.
I don't think any of the magazines are great, but I voted for Climbing because that's the only subscription I have. I used to think it was MUCH better than R & I, but now I think it depends on the issue.
I started a thread about ideas I would like to see magazines implement, if you care to comment.
Yes, in fact, DPM's main thrust is online. You can read all their complete issues on their website: http://www.dpmclimbing.com/issues. Come to think of it, I believe the website has more content than the print mags.
I think DPM really shines in the masses of videos it has on it's website. The online mag has stuff the paper mag doesn't (the paper mag will have stuff like "To see this full thing check out the website!).