Climbing

Climbing

The Climbing Column is for all climbers (bouldering to big-wall, sandstone to snow) to read about safety and prevention as well as awareness and management of climbing injuries. Posts range from news accounts to educational guides to interviews and everything in between that relates to climbing and wilderness medicine.

Column Editor: Lainey Yu, DO, MS, FAWM, DiDMM

Xenon in Mountaineering

Erin Etoll MDJenny Thacker MD, FACEP, DiDMM
May 26, 2026

Explore the debate around xenon gas in high-altitude mountaineering, including its proposed role in acclimatization, Everest expeditions, WADA restrictions, and the unanswered questions surrounding safety and efficacy.

Buildering Goes Mainstream

Lainey Yu, DO, MS, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM
March 13, 2026

A look at buildering’s growing visibility after Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 ascent, and the practical safety considerations climbers should assess when moving from rock to urban structures.

Crimp with Caution

Samantha Mazzeo, DO
September 25, 2025

The most common injuries seen in rock climbing are tendinopathies (tendonitis, tendon strain, or tendon rupture), muscle strains, and joint sprains, accounting for almost 75% of all injuries.

Particulates in Rock Climbing Gyms

Paul Hein, MD
June 13, 2025

Indoor rock climbing is a great way to try out the sport in a more controlled environment but causes concerns about air quality.

Bolting Ethics

Lainey Yu, DO, MS, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM
March 3, 2025

While the WMS community mourns the death of a member and the climbing community reignites debates on helmets, risk tolerance, and bolting wars, I couldn’t help but ponder: are “old-school” bolting ethics harmful to modern climbers?