Mountain Project Reviews

by Jajew

I've been using the old version of MountainProject for years and loved it. I got a new phone and downloaded the new version and could not be more disappointed.

It's obvious a lot of money has been injected into MountainProject , but overall the usability has taken a nose dive. It simply has not taken in climbers into consideration on use patterns.

It runs slower, navigation is awkward and weirdly goes all the way back to the state instead of area. I miss the simple and quick hierarchy without the glitchy interfaces to navigate to a wall.

You can't download a single area and are forced to get a whole state which is ridiculous when visiting a single locale in, say, California.

Automatic updates of downloaded areas when you open MountainProject is unnecessary (that first ascent and comments in the last 3 weeks won't change my climbing plans) eats data and slows the downloading of areas I actually want to see.

I literally can't help but curse every time I try and use MountainProject. All the data has been there and was easily accessible and has just been ruined by trying to look good and bloated down with unnecessary features.

by OliFinn

Was able to download a few states and bookmark a few routes/problems about a month ago, and now the Search Area & Routes feature yields *no* results—no matter how obvious my search.
The Near Me feature simply hovers over the western US whilst properly pinning my location. Once I zoom in, a few bundled results show up. As I zoom closer to those results they disappear completely.

Location service is on, profile logged in, areas downloaded and up to date, etc. Funny thing is, the website/mobile webpage works just fine. Deleting MountainProject and using the mobile site from now on.

by PeteW--

I have had trouble downloading updates for areas saved on my device. The area indicates an update available, downloads it but then still shows an update is available. A long standing problem is that entire states need to be downloaded which makes for a state like Utah or Cali a significant amount of data. More granular control over areas should be possible. It once was years ago.

by Lrprc

Let me preface by saying that I love MP and I use it frequently. However, the website is a lot more helpful than MountainProject in terms of finding information and tracking ticks.

MountainProject , from my interpretation, is meant to be used offline. That's great, especially when you're climbing in no service areas. However, because of its offline convenience, MountainProject is terrible at updating when route names, grades, etc. are changed. In order to update an area, you have to delete the area and then re-download it (even though I have auto-update turned on).

On top of that, despite re-downloading an area, the route names and areas still don't change - yet on the website, these changes are immediate. How, if MountainProject and site are linked, do the changes only reflect on the website?

Only other issue to point out is that if you use MountainProject to tick routes instead of the website, sometimes the dates seem to shift by a day or so.

Overall, great concept and cool app that isn't cluttered. I'm thankful we have an app that does the majority of what climbers need rather than no app at all.

by D Masta

Most comprehensive climbing app I’m aware of. Pretty much every climber uses it and saves carrying up a guidebook.
Needs some fixes tho, comments always dory oldest first, and offers no way to change it. Went to a local crag and ended up taking a nasty trail that has been marked as “closed” in new comments, but 12 year old comments were what showed up first and took me the wrong way.
Photos are also difficult to view, and I still can’t figure out the proper motion to open their descriptions (helpful for topo labeling). Just make it so you tap and they expand.
Would love if they could help make identifying routes in areas easier, so everyone isn’t playing the “what are you on? Okay what’s next it? Is that on MP?” game trying to figure out what they’re climbing. Maybe add a feature where users can submit a specific photo for the belay spot?

by ChilliTrav

...or in my case, right in the stash pocket of my chalk bag. Soooooo much easier than photocopying guidebook pages, great information & input from other climbers, and recent updates have made a very nice user interface. Without doubt, one of the best (and most convenient) climbing resources out there.
So, why not 5 stars? Well, I'm a tough critic and there are occasional small glitches, but the MP crew is really good about fresh updates with bug-fixes and improvements. Keep up the great work, MP!!
At time of review: iPhone 6; iOS 10.3.3; MP app v4.0.6.

by Trebelhornc

MP has its place in climbing history as one of the best apps for the entire community.

However, we all know the forums feature is a bit dated and could use a feature re-vamp.

But my real beef is the search function. Nearly useless, in that if you don’t have the state downloaded, you cannot search for it, and MountainProject won’t tell you anything regarding. “More search results in (X state). Download to see more.”

by JSH@Metro

The Mountain Project is an outstanding resource to the climbing community. Research and discovery are great methods to make the most of your vacation or road trip. With the Mountain Project I can find what I need to plan the best adventures or find the best crags. The map feature and ability to share info within our broader community for others is key. The Mountain Project Provides it’s community the tools they need to put together comprehensive perspectives on the whole deal. From the approach, climbing and conditions, beta all the way to other local businesses to check out after climbing is done for the day. Thanks All, I really appreciate this sites and the community working hard to keep the dream a reality.

-Jason

by Terra Ignota

I say mostly because some of the beta isn’t very clear, or there’s a misplaced photo here and there. But I’ll say I’ve been able to figure out every route I’ve been on from MountainProject , and navigate to whatever feature I was after.

I wish there was a standardized location for number of bolts and anchor types though.

by Mountian Guide Matt

Mtn project opens a whole new world of opportunity to us climbers !! from showing you the nearest areas around you to climb and access to the beta you can glean from MountainProject . The world just became your oyster. Now get outside and climb. And please love and respect our mother we are stewards off this planet and it belongs to every creature on it including us. ;-)

by Idjmleader

It’s usually pretty accurate, more accurate than the guide books. Love that we can rate a route and then the software decides on the average grade based on what we rate it.
I really love the fact I can keep track of all the routes I have done.
Another amazing feature if you don’t know is you can download areas or states so you can use it when there is no cell coverage very helpful!
Would recommend :)

by Hippy Horn

There needs to be a feature where we can see what’s been recently climbed for areas! Instead of searching around for things that match, we’d be able to see what’s popular for others as of recent and get a better idea of things to try or maybe stay away from or even get inspired. Plus being in Washington, knowing what routes are dry cause someone just reported on it is VERY important.

by CountCPD

If MountainProject had some more functionality that the website has, like adding the ability to comment on routes, it would be perfect! It would also be cool if you could add other users as friends to see their profiles more easily.

by MajrHazrd

Amazing app. I use it every time I climb. Has directions to the crag when I’m away from home and offline downloads with pictures are super helpful. I like being able to ‘tick’ routes and track my progress on my projects. While I support buying your area’s guidebook. This is a free option and is usually more up to date than whatever book has been published.

by Herbert The Man

Amazing app for the entire rock climbing community. I only wish I could add photos, comments, and new climbs on MountainProject instead of having to log on on the computer. Overall, 5+ stars. Can definitely be better than some guidebooks especially once accustomed to MountainProject . Once you download an area (by state) you can use it without service which is extremely convenient. Climb on!

by Rottsy

First off, thank you too all the developers and users alike. I still buy the guide books, but photos, detailed pitch breakdowns, and GPS tags make me wonder just how crazy the salty old dogs were.

Constructive criticism:
-I’d like to be able to give beta stars on the mobile app. It’s social media type nonsense, but I want people to know I appreciate them saying a bolt has been replaced, a flake pulled off, etc.
-Push notifications when you’re at a route yet to be GPS tagged/verified? Not sure if that’s even possible.
-Am I missing something or can I not comment on routes while on mobile? I put my personal notes in my tick, but I’d love to be able to share some info while on the road, not try to remember it for when I get home. If that’s already doable, make it easier to do.

Thanks again to the devs.

by Lisaizz012

MountainProject is great! You can search types of climbs, such as TR, trad and sport and what they are graded as far as difficulty. MountainProject also gives directions to these climbs so if you are new in the area, you can find them. People who comment or take pictures helps with safely making climbing decisions if you are a novice and their tips are educational. I love MountainProject. I sometimes sit and browse and dream about future climbs. The only con is MountainProject will keep you awake late at night because it’s full of wealthy content.

by Camgue

I absolutely love the ability to salivate over the pictures and the write ups people provide for routes.

As the pandemic has put off the gyms it’s challenging to find accessible areas for people just getting in to outdoor climbing. There are incredible people that bolt and put a lot of work in on the routes and communicate here to better the information available. I’m especially thankful to the developers, the access fund, and all the trail blazers that formed the trails cleaned the routes and posted about it.

by Cramdor

For climbers, there is really nothing else unless you want to pay the money for a guide book everywhere you go. Mountain project really has an amazing amount of climbing to look into and find for what it is.

The only reason I didn’t do a full 5 stars would be the apps user friendliness. It has been getting consistently better but in my opinion one of the biggest benefits of MountainProject is photos and often my app glitches and won’t save the photos even after they are downloaded for offline viewing (most places I climb don’t have service).

Other than that they have made some other big improvements like book marking and i hope more people continue to use it so it can be even more useful.

by Rossandbeth

MountainProject is great because you can use it without internet access. Makes it easy when visiting a new area. Allows you to make descriptions better by adding comments. Allows you to meet new climbers via partners forum. Let’s you add pictures to help show where a route goes. Let’s you record what routes you’ve done so that when your old like me, you can go back and say stuff like “Wow I climbed that route?”
—Ross

by Tee Dash

Dear MP devs,

This is an amazing idea. You have been and are changing the outdoor climbing game as climbing gets more popular. Thank you!!! Truly magnificent idea. Also your app has some cool features - the neighboring climbs swipe is neat. you’ve clearly got some talent and good ideas.

However. Your navigation needs crucial usability work, especially as you grow every day. It is so non user friendly, confusing, and hectic to navigate. Needs greatly to be simplified, and obvious to the user. I have been using your app for about a year and still am confused. I just bought a $40 guidebook because I can’t imagine using your app again during an entire trip.

Sincerely,
UI developer who wants you to hire her and make things better

by MS1 2014

I painstakingly downloaded all of Red Rock in anticipation of not having a guidebook, only to find that none are viewable in airplane mode. When I try to redownload, MountainProject gives me an error that they are already downloaded. People have their gripes about the interface, but MountainProject is fundamentally unreliable if I can’t access photos I took the care to download. It’s so much worse than not having MountainProject at all! Unfortunate to discover when trying to reference the photo that shows the topo or the base of the route!

by Stanarich

Ticks used to be stored locally in the old version. Now you need to have internet access to see tick info. I rarely can load this data while at the crag. People post useful info about bad bolts and other beta in the ticks section. Info that I can often now no longer access. Please allow us to store locally this information.

by Just_smyth

It’s a great app. Very informative. There is a lack of photos of the problems and I have yet to find a way to submit photos of projects I’ve done through MountainProject . I don’t even know if you can submit photos through the website. If there is no ability to do this than mountain projects should introduce it. Let the community fill MountainProject with beautiful pictures of the problems.

by Madbro86

This is my personal favorite app. Im a big climber and it was really hard to find local outdoor rock climbs, and just knowing that i can just open up an app and it shows me everything i would need to know about a climb is amazing!! I would highly recommend MountainProject for any type of rock climber wether your a beginner 5.5 or an expert 5.11a or up

by LibertyJWilson

Nothing better than being able to open up an app and see all the climbing areas in an entire country, along with levels and reviews. Very grateful to have access to a platform like this