John Middendorf - story - Karabin Climbing Museum

In 1986 John Middendorf founded the climbing company A5 Adventures Inc. to meet the needs for a growing new breed of climbers whose nucleus centered in Yosemite California. A5's first product was a forged well designed hammer that set the standard for high quality climbing gear. Since then, A5 has established itself as the innovators of modern big wall climbing equipment. The A5 company was sold to the North Face in 1998.

link to John's website
- bigwalls.net

The mechanical advantage
- awesome story of climbing history
and gear that was published in Ascent magazine 1999

The Mechanical advantage
-Climbing pitons early evolution

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John Middendorf (April 13, 1959 - June 21, 2024).
From Marty: “Wow John it is a weird feeling that we were just communicating through the internet, and suddenly you are on the other side. Hmmmmm what to say to you….. Dude you totally rocked this earth! You saw a big wall, and you climbed it. Then you looked for taller walls and bigger adventures, and once again you made the top. Along the way you designed and created climbing gear, and made improvements to products already on the market. In my opinion your greatest contribution that you have given to the climbing world comes through your many writings that capture the history of climbing. You had a special way of creating a document, then using that document as the anchor of which you drop into the rabbit hole and pull forward undoubtable proof of what you have to share. These last few years have been super fun even though throughout 2022 you pestered the crap out of me as you were getting your document on pitons dialed in. I am honored that you included me in your world!! Love you John!!! Blessings to the Middendorf family.”

Tom Frost and John Middendorf

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This green fanny pack was used by John Middendorf on his first ascent with Xaver Bongard of the Grand Voyage route on the Great Trango Tower in 1992. The fanny pack was donated to the Karabin Climbing Museum April 2005.