Climbing can be a high risk sport for injuries primarily because of the stresses of hauling your body’s weight to the top of a giant rock. Injuries come in many forms, from the overuse or overtraining injuries to what the Army calls “deceleration accidents.” We’ve all heard the adage that “climbing shouldn’t hurt,” but the plain fact is it often does, whether it’s because of a previous injury or that nasty undercling crimper a few feet over your head.

Although he’s been portrayed as bigger than life, Johnnie Kern exudes a quiet confidence in his laid-back style and good nature. Unless you asked him, you’d never know he’s run some of the most dangerous rivers on planet Earth, and experienced life in a way that most of us are afraid of, let alone aspire to.

It’s spring, and with the warmth comes the need to drink (and not just socially). Hydration is one of the most important moderators of fitness out there. Most climbers and other athletes have explored many kinds of hydration methods.

So you want to do a triathlon this year? Your first triathlon can be a daunting task. Here’s some general guidance. Let’s break it into smaller parts and learn from others’ mistakes.

Falling should be simple, right? You just let go. But not being overcome with gravity poisoning is not as easy as you might think. Mean old Mr. Gravity can make it quite a challenge. Boulderers, sport climbers, and trad climbers all fall differently.

September means one thing to paddlers: Gauley season. Whitewater salvation lies in the hills of West Virginia for six weekends every fall. Beginning September 9 and continuing through October 16, the Army Corps of Engineers will take down the Summersville lake level and release a magnificent 2,800 cubic-feet-per-second of thrills and spills into the riverbed.

A scorching hot August afternoon can only be remedied in one way: a river trip. While most boaters tend to think of this salvation in the form of a sprayskirt, life jacket, helmet, paddle, and boat of choice, there are people in our area who consider much more of a minimalist approach.

I headed to Summersville, West Virginia, the sport climber’s Disneyland, to get some beta on boating, give my back a break, and leave the trad rack in the car. Summersville is located 20 miles north of the ever popular New River Gorge.

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