Capital of the cliffhanger

Even if you didn’t hang 10, the visceral impact of gnarly waves and bleach-blond prose in surfer mags of the ‘70s and ‘80s made you feel like part of the scene. To get a handle on the modern equivalent, pick up the June 2004 issue of Rock & Ice. Turn to Page 60. Behold the spine-chilling full-page photo of climber Jeff Schoen clinging to the sheer Titanic rock wall near Needles. The image reflects the beauty and grit of American sport climbing.

Stone-cold lunatics who look death in the face for thrills might have a goofball reputation, but Rock & Ice has been around long enough to put a mature grip around issues, from technique to gear to environmental protection. As one reader proclaims, “It’s refreshing to hear a favored climb described more eloquently than ‘Dude ... suh-wheet!’ ”

-- Chuck Thompson