The Top Climbers in the World Right Now

Climbing history is rich, interesting, and full of stories and heroes. Our favorite sport has changed and developed throughout the years rapidly. It will keep growing so fast that we will need to change this list as soon as we’re done.

From an unknown sport to an Olympic one, from athletes (or just weird people) you might see on the street to Oscar winners with fans all over the world and a lot of followers on social media

The people on this list were all very well-known in their own time and had a big impact on the sport as we know it today. We can say it’s an outcome of social media, sponsors, the Olympics, T. V shows, or any other speculation.

In the end, though, these great athletes are what made the sport what it is today.

#12: Alberto Gines Lopez

Alberto is a great climber who specializes in comp lead and bouldering. Alberto was the first person to win a gold medal in climbing at the very first Olympics. Let that fact go down in climbing history.

Winning Gold at the Olympics of course!

Alain Robert is a famous climber who has free-climbed skyscrapers all over the world. He is known as the “French Spider-Man.” His daring ascents, often done without permission, have garnered him international attention and numerous arrests.

Alain Robert gained worldwide recognition for his urban climbing feats, scaling some of the world’s tallest and most iconic buildings without ropes or protective equipment. His climbs often draw large crowds and media attention, making him one of the most recognizable figures in the climbing community. His ascents include the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, and the Petronas Twin Towers.

Robert’s climb up the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, is one of his most famous accomplishments, even though he did it with ropes.

While Jimmy Chin is an accomplished climber in his own right, he has carved a unique niche for himself in the world of adventure photography. With his ability to capture breathtaking moments from the most challenging terrains, Chin has become synonymous with the fusion of climbing and visual storytelling.

As an avid climber, Jimmy Chin went on to become one of the most famous adventure photographers in the world. In the world of photography, he stands out because he can take pictures of amazing things from high places that only experienced climbers could reach. However, it was his involvement in the documentary “Free Solo” that catapulted him to international fame. As co-director and cinematographer, Chin captured Alex Honnold’s dangerous free solo climb of El Capitan, giving viewers a close-up and dizzying view of the climb.

He was also involved in the documentary “Meru,” which showcased the challenges faced during his 2011 climb of the Shark’s Fin route on Meru Peak in the Indian Himalayas. Jimmy had a near-fatal accident on this trip. The film won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Beyond these, Chin also produced “The Rescue,” which chronicles the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, and “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.”

Even though Jimmy Chin has done some truly amazing things, his biggest accomplishment is likely the Oscar he won for producing Free Solo with Alex Honnold.

Yvon Chouinard is not just an iconic American rock climber but also a pioneering environmentalist, philanthropist, and businessman. He is the visionary behind Patagonia, a company renowned for its unwavering commitment to environmental protection.

Chouinard’s journey began with his passion for climbing and his innovative approach to equipment. In the late 1950s, he started making hardened steel pitons for use in Yosemite Valley, leading to the birth of Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. His advocacy for “clean climbing” and the introduction of aluminum chockstones revolutionized rock climbing. However, it’s his establishment of Patagonia, the clothing and gear company, that truly cemented his legacy. Beyond just creating rugged technical clothing, Chouinard ensured that Patagonia stood as a beacon for environmental activism. In 2023, he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

While Chouinard has numerous accomplishments, his dedication to environmental causes stands out. He founded “1% for the Planet” in 2002, with Patagonia being the first business to commit 1% of annual sales to the environment. In 2022, Chouinard took a monumental step by donating ownership in Patagonia to a trust, ensuring the company’s profits are channeled towards addressing climate change.

Fred Beckey is without a doubt one of the most underrated pioneers in rock climbing ever. He began climbing with his brother when he was young and didn’t stop until he was well into his 90s. Beckey has built hundreds of trails all over the United States and Canada. He has been a scumbag all his life.

Remember the photo of an old dude holding a sign saying ‘Will Belay For Food’ that went viral? To the younger generation, that’s probably what made Fred Beckey ‘famous’. But in the climbing community, Beckey was a well-known climbing dirtbag. He dedicated his whole life to rock climbing, not for fame or for any accolades, but just for the pure fun of it. Beckey lived and breathed climbing to the point where he burnt bridges with close family members. Some people call him crazy and self-obsessed, while others see his passion for climbing.

Beckey’s achievements are too many to even put in a few sentences. Why will people always remember him? Is it because he set hundreds of new routes? Is it because he lived an inspiring “dirtbag” life and loved climbing? Is it because he climbed well into his 90s? Mountain trails named after him, such as the “Beckey Traverse,” “Beckey’s Spire,” and “Mount Beckey,” can be found all over the world.

“Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey,” a documentary by Patagonia, is a great way to learn more about Fred Beckey.

I’ll let you be the judge of this one, but I personally think John Muir deserves a spot on our list, and you’ll see why. Often referred to as “John of the Mountains” and the “Father of the National Parks,” John Muir was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States. His writings and activism played a pivotal role in the establishment of several national parks and the broader conservation movement in the U.S. Many of these national parks we use today for climbing.

His writings, which showed how much he loved nature and the wilderness, captured the beauty and importance of the natural world. Several national parks, including Yosemite, were created because of his work to protect the American wilderness. Muir’s influence went beyond his writings. He helped start the Sierra Club, which is now one of the most well-known environmental groups in the U.S. S. conservation policies in the early 1900s were shaped in large part by his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt.

Among Muir’s numerous achievements, his role in the establishment of Yosemite National Park stands out. His writings and advocacy efforts were instrumental in convincing the U. S. Congress to create the park in 1890. If it wasn’t for John Muir, Yosemite probably wouldn’t exist like it does today.

Where have you been if you don’t know who Toby Roberts is? Toby started competing in senior events in 2023 and has been pretty tough to beat ever since. He can also say that he became the youngest Brit to climb an 8a, 9a and 9a/+.

Toby is probably known to many climbers who watch the IFSC competitions. But I think that winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics really put him on the map.

I get the impression that whatever Toby does, he sees it as his biggest achievement. But I think his most recent gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics is his proudest moment so far. So excited to see more of Toby!.

What Defines ‘Famous Climbers’?

Which climber has the most Instagram followers, the most YouTube views, or the hardest ascents?

Just like with any other sport, the huge growth of this one has led to amazing improvements by its athletes. Not the best computer ever, not the best rock climber ever, and not the first someone who did it either.

That being said, it’s important to note that every famous climber was or is likely one of the best at least one thing. It doesn’t matter if you know the names below or not; they all had the drive and vision to break down barriers and take climbing to new heights, one climb at a time.

5 Greatest Climbers of All Time

FAQ

Who is the best climber in the world?

Who is the greatest competition climber of all time?

How much do pro climbers make?

Where do most famous climbers come from?

Most famous climbers come from areas with some climbing culture. Margo Hayes hails from Boulder, Colorado, which routinely produces some of the best rock climbers in the world. In 2016, she won the bouldering and lead climbing events at the World Youth Championships in China.

Who are the most famous rock climbers?

But with a total of fifteen people, our list of the most famous rock climbers includes a little bit of everything. Alex Honnold is undoubtedly the most famous climber on earth today. A relative unknown in 2006, he seemed to burst onto the scene in 2007 when he free soloed Yosemite’s Astroman and Rostrum in a day, matching Peter Croft’s 1987 feat.

How are climbers ranked?

The list of climbers is based on their accolades over their whole careers and where relevant, their own personal achievements that took the world by storm (i.e. non-competitive based achievements) and of course, as mentioned previously, has no particular ranking and is challenging to choose one climber over another.

Who is the best female climber in the world?

Hill is correctly regarded as one of the best climbers in the world – not simply “best female climbers.” Her first unfastened ascent of the Nose in Yosemite national park stands as a notable achievement in the climbing world. From 86 to 92, her focus shifted to climbing competitions.

Who is the most famous free solo climber?

But the one that will endure his legacy forever is the famous free solo ascent of Freerider. The coolest, limits breaker, visionist, and a true climbing legend of our time. Sharma is definitely a brand by himself and for good reason. His legacy and contribution to the sport cannot be described in words. What Made Him Famous?