Rock climbing is an increasingly popular sport that has made incredible advances in the last few decades. With the rise of indoor climbing gyms and the development of new equipment and techniques, more and more people are discovering the thrill of scaling vertical walls.
For those looking to learn more about the sport, there are many recommended books for climbers and rappellers available. These books cover everything from basic climbing skills and safety guidelines to advanced techniques and training methods, making them an invaluable resource for both novice and experienced climbers alike.
As the sport has grown, so has the list of rock climbers that have impacted the world and the sport.
From elite athletes who have redefined what is possible to inspiring adventurers who have opened up new possibilities, these climbers have left an indelible mark on the world of rock climbing and beyond.
This blog post will look at some of the most famous rock climbers of all time, from legendary mountaineers to modern-day daredevils.
We will explore their accomplishments, stories, and impact on the rock-climbing world.
Along the way, we will highlight some key lessons aspiring climbers can learn from these luminaries.
So, get ready to explore the amazing stories of some of the most famous rock climbers of all time.
Rock Climber 1. Alex Honnold – Known for free solo climbing
Alex Honnold is the most famous rock climber in the world. His ascent of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan in 2017, a free solo climb with no ropes or safety gear, brought rock climbing to the global public’s attention.
Honnold’s feats have been chronicled in the award-winning film Free Solo and several other documentaries. He has continued to climb some of the world’s most challenging routes, pushing the boundaries of the sport and inspiring countless climbers.
Rock Climber 2. Chris Sharma – Known for pioneering hard routes
One of the most famous rock climbers of all time is Chris Sharma. He is renowned for pioneering hard routes, which has set him apart from the rest of the climbing community.
He has inspired many and pushed the boundaries of what is believed to be possible in the sport. He has been credited with pushing the grade of climbing to the limits of what is physically possible.
Furthermore, he is an engaging public speaker and has appeared in numerous television programs and publications. His work has greatly impacted the sport of rock climbing, and he is an inspiration to many.
Rock Climber 3. Adam Ondra – Known for a combination of bouldering and sport climbing
Adam Ondra is a world-renowned rock climber who has achieved a successful combination of bouldering and sport climbing.
His name is well-known in the rock climbing community due to his many accomplishments, such as being the first climber to scale a 5.15d route, the world’s hardest grade.
Ondra is also the only climber to have completed a route of this grade in both the bouldering and lead climbing disciplines. His success led him to become an ambassador for climbing and a role model for aspiring climbers.
Rock Climber 4. Lynn Hill – Known for the first free ascent of The Nose on El Capitan
Lynn Hill is one of history’s most famous and accomplished rock climbers. She is most well-known for her pioneering ascent of the Nose on El Capitan, the first free ascent of the iconic big wall, in 1993.
Hill successfully navigated the nearly 900-meter route without using any aid or protection and inspired countless climbers to push their limits.
She has also competed in professional climbing competitions, won multiple awards and accolades, and served as an ambassador for the sport. Hill is a true rock climbing legend and continues to inspire climbers around the world.
Rock Climber 5. Ueli Steck – Known for speed climbing
Swiss climber Ueli Steck is known for his speed climbing skills, having set records for solo ascents on the Eiger and Annapurna. He was also the first to climb the Eiger and Matterhorn in less than 24 hours.
He is also known for his ability to climb difficult routes with minimal equipment and in an incredibly short amount of time.
Steck’s achievements have been recognized in the international climbing community, and his feats have inspired many aspiring climbers to pursue their dreams.
Rock Climber 6. John Bachar – Known for soloing difficult routes
John Bachar is a name that is renowned in the world of rock climbing. He is best remembered for his impressive solo ascents of difficult routes.
A professional climber for several years, Bachar was the first to climb 5.12, a grade in the Yosemite Decimal System. He was also the first climber to free-climb routes that have historically been aided.
Bachar’s solo ascents are often cited as an inspiration for other climbers, as these feats demonstrate a high level of technical skill and mental strength. Bachar is also remembered for his efforts to promote safety among rock climbers.
Rock Climber 7. Tommy Caldwell – Known for the first free ascent of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan
Tommy Caldwell is one of the most famous rock climbers in the world. He is well-known for his first free ascent of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park with Kevin Jorgeson.
It took him 19 days to complete the climb, making it one of the most challenging ascents ever achieved. In addition, he was the first person to climb the Fitz Traverse, a route that traverses the vertical faces of three 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado’s Sawatch Range.
He has also completed other notable ascents, including the first ascent of the Dihedral Wall in Yosemite and the first free ascent of the Nameless Tower in Pakistan.
Caldwell has achieved legendary status among climbers, inspiring many to take on their own daring feats.
Rock Climber 8. Steph Davis – Known for highball bouldering and wingsuit BASE jumping
Steph Davis is one of the most famous rock climbers in the world. She is well known for her commitment to highball bouldering and wingsuit BASE jumping.
A native of Colorado, Davis has been climbing for over two decades. He has accumulated impressive accomplishments, including the first female ascent of Yosemite’s Salathé Wall and the first free ascent of the Misty Wall in Zion.
Stephanie is also a passionate advocate for women in the sport and works tirelessly to promote climbing as a way of life. She is a highly respected figure in the climbing community, both for her accomplishments and her commitment to the sport.
Rock Climber 9. Sasha DiGiulian: Pioneering the sport of rock climbing for women
Sasha DiGiulian has become one of the most recognized and celebrated names in rock climbing. At only 28 years of age, she has been climbing since she was nine and was the first American female to climb a 9a grade climb, considered a very difficult climb.
Sasha is also the first female to complete a 5.15a grade climb, an even more challenging grade. Her ambition, skill, and passion for the sport have made her a pioneering figure for women in rock climbing.
Sasha’s accomplishments have earned her numerous awards and accolades and made her an inspiration to aspiring female climbers around the world.
Rock Climber 10. Ashima Shiraishi
Ashima Shiraishi is a professional rock climber and the youngest person to ever climb a V15-graded boulder problem.
This Japanese-American competitor has won multiple Youth World Championships and continues to be one of the most successful climbers in the world today.
Her success has been highlighted in feature films, such as “The Dawn Wall” and “Break on Through,” which focus on her unique accomplishments. With a strong work ethic and a passion for the sport, Ashima Shiraishi is an inspiration to all aspiring rock climbers.
Rock Climber 11. Brooke Raboutou
Brooke Raboutou is one of the world’s most successful and renowned rock climbers. Born in France and based in Boulder, Colorado, Brooke has become an international climbing icon, with numerous world championship titles and records under her belt.
At the age of 14, Brooke became the youngest climber to win a World Championship. She is also renowned for her remarkable climbing achievements, including being the first female to complete a 5.14d grade route.
Brooke has inspired and influenced a generation of climbers, making her one of the most famous rock climbers of our time.
Rock Climber 12. Wolfgang Gullich
Wolfgang Gullich is one of the most famous rock climbers of all time. Born in Germany in 1960, Gullich revolutionized the sport, pushing the physical and mental limits to climb some of the toughest routes in the world.
He was the first to propose and complete the concept of hard sport climbing, and his legacy lives on today in the form of complex routes.
As a pioneer in rock climbing, Gullich was known for his bold and courageous ascents, often leading the way for those who followed.
Rock Climber 13. Catherine Destivelle
As one of the most famous rock climbers of all time, Catherine Destivelle is an international phenomenon. She has earned a place in history with a string of successful first ascents and alpine-style climbs.
She was the first woman to ascend the Eiger Nordwand solo and the first to solo all six great North Faces of the Alps in a single winter season. Her passion for exploration has earned her a lifetime of admiration and respect in the climbing community.
Destivelle has achieved something that most climbers can only dream of, and she is an inspiration to all who seek to challenge themselves.
Rock Climber 14. Janja Garnbret
Janja Garnbret is a Slovenian professional rock climber widely considered the best female climber in the world. Garnbret began climbing in 2015 and quickly made a name for herself by winning various competitions.
Some of her most impressive achievements include winning two gold medals in the Combined event at the World Championships in 2017 and 2019 and winning gold medals in the Lead and Bouldering events at the World Championships in 2019.
Garnbret has also won the IFSC Climbing World Cup three times and is a dominant force in the sport.
Rock Climber 15. Stefano Ghisolfi
Stefano Ghisolfi is one of the most famous rock climbers in the world. He first began climbing at 16 and has since achieved great success in sport climbing and bouldering.
He has won multiple World Cup events and has become the first and only climber to ascend three routes of 9a+ or harder.
He is also the first climber to ascend a route with a 9c rating and the first and only climber to ascend a 9b+ route with a single rope. Stefano Ghisolfi is truly an inspiration and a testament to the power of dedication and hard work.
Rock Climber 16. Tomoa Narasaki
Tomoa Narasaki is a household name among the rock climbing community, and for a good reason. Narasaki is a professional rock climber from Japan and one of the sport’s most decorated athletes.
Narasaki’s career accomplishments include three consecutive World Cup titles from 2016-2018, and he was the first climber to win the Triple Crown of Bouldering in 2018.
He has also won the IFSC Climbing World Championships twice and is a two-time winner of the IFSC Climbing World Cup. Narasaki is a true rock-climbing icon, and his athletic accomplishments are respected and admired within the rock-climbing community.
Rock Climber 17. Shauna Coxsey
Shauna Coxsey is one of the most famous rock climbers in the world. She is a two-time World Cup champion (2015, 2016) and a four-time British National Champion.
She has won medals in numerous international competitions, including the World Championships and the European Championships.
She has also broken multiple records, including the fastest female ascent of a bouldering problem. Her drive and determination make her an inspiration to many aspiring climbers.
How Did Alex Honnold Become One of the Most Famous Rock Climbers?
Alex Honnold speaks at CU Boulder and shares his inspiring journey of becoming one of the most famous rock climbers.
His fearless attitude and unmatched skills have propelled him to stardom in the climbing world.
Through hard work and dedication, Honnold has achieved legendary status in the sport.
Rock Climber 18. Peter Croft
Peter Croft is a renowned Canadian rock climber and alpinist considered one of the most influential climbers in the world.
He is credited for creating many of the most challenging routes in the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite and is known for his free solo ascents of many of the most difficult rock faces.
He was the first person to free solo the Astroman and the Rostrum, two of the most difficult routes in Yosemite. He has also written several rock climbing books and featured in several climbing films.
Croft is an inspiration to many climbers and continues to be an inspiration to the climbing community.
Rock Climber 19. Margo Hayes
Margo Hayes is widely considered one of the most famous rock climbers in the world. She has won numerous competitions and has achieved some of the most challenging feats in the sport.
In 2017, she became the first woman to climb a 5.15a route, La Rambla, in Siurana, Spain. Her accomplishments include becoming the first woman to lead a 5.14d route, Biographie, in Ceuse, France.
Hayes has also won the prestigious Bouldering World Cup and set the world record for women’s speed climbing in 2018. Her influence in the sport has inspired many young climbers and continues to be a source of motivation for aspiring athletes.
All in all, rock climbing is a sport that requires skill, strength, and agility, and the most famous rock climbers have demonstrated these traits while also pushing the sport forward.
From the pioneers of the sport like Lynn Hill and Alex Honnold to the modern rock stars like Adam Ondra and Margo Hayes, each climber brings something unique to the world of climbing.
They have all achieved greatness, and their accomplishments will continue to inspire climbers for years to come.
