In 2009, Luke Mehall and Al Smith III assembled what would be the first issue of “The Climbing Zine.” It was 40 pages long, black and white, with a stapled together binding, and 100 copies were printed. Most copies were given away but a few sold for $2 each. The two thought it would be a one-time thing.
Soon after, Mehall moved to Durango and continued to create and improve “The Climbing Zine.” Most of the old issues had small print runs and fans have asked to reprint the issues. The idea to select the best stories from the first 11 volumes and put them together in a book called “The Climbing Zine Book” was created. It is now in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the printing of the book, and for paying the 25 writers and other creatives who contributed to it.
The book will be published in spring 2020.
For more information about the campaign, visit climbingzine.com. The campaign will run until Dec. 25.
