Hangdog Days

"Hangdog Days" by Jeff Smoot chronicles the explosive rise of rock climbing during the late 20th century, highlighting the emergence of sport climbing and competitive environments that redefined the sport. Smoot, a former climber himself, captures the contentious evolution of traditional climbing rules, the advent of new techniques like "hangdogging," and the extraordinary feats of climbers such as Jean-Baptiste Tribout, who shattered long-held records. Through lively storytelling and firsthand insights, the audiobook showcases the talents of legendary climbers including John Bachar, Todd Skinner, and Alan Watts, while exploring the cultural shifts that transformed climbing forever.