Best (known) climber in the world...

[512OW]

I'm sure there are people I'm forgetting, because I pay so little attention to mountaineering and ice climbing....

But who is the best all around... sport, trad, bouldering, mountaineering, ice, mixed, cheater stones, shoulder stands, plastic pulling, and that steep circular stairway at your creepy aunts house.... climber?

Alex Lowe doesn't count....cuz well, he can't climb anymore.

Conrad Anker? (I think he's more marketability...)
Will Gadd?
Brian McCray?
Mike Jones?

[Mike Jones]

Who?

[512OW]

Mike Jones!

Back then they didn't want me, but now I'm hot they all on me.

[canadaclimbergirl]

I think the best all around - sport, trad, bouldering, big wall is Tommy Caldwell by a long stretch.

Now, when you put in Ice, mixed and alpine, I am unsure. Will Gadd is pretty freakishly strong but I don't know how he does with the bouldering etc.

I'm sure it is probably a European though.

[Lateralus]

Ines Papert is way up there she cranks

[merrick]

in terms of best known in the current US pop culture, I would say chris sharma. He is in GQ, People, Outside, every climbnig publication and movie that comes out. He also is well known in the international community.

In terms of American Mountaineers, I would say that Ed Visterius is currently the most famous. When he finished the 14 tallest peaks in the world he was front page material in many national newspapers.

Outside of the US I have no idea.

[Toad]

Is this a popularity contest?

This person is out there, we just don't know who it is.

[hearn]

Lets not forget about Steve House, amazing alpinist and rock climber. He’s one of the few men that can tell a story of sharing a sleeping bag with another man and not be called a homo. And don't get him started on those damn Russians. I love that his speech on why he should get the Piolet d’Or was just trashing the Russian siege style.

[merrick]

oh i see, "best (known)" not "best known"

for all around rock climbing, tommy caldwell, no one comes close, Alex Huber is probably runner up.
sport climbing - dani adranada (if his claims are to be believed)
sport climbing and bouldering - dave graham

Steve House might be for all around rock and mountaineering. 5.13 sport and bad ass himalayan alpine style ascents

[512OW]

Steve House....good one. Forgot about him.

Stevie Haston maybe??