Natalie Berry

Natalie Berry: A Voice for the Vertical World

We’ve followed Natalie Berry’s work as it ascends from niche climbing publications to mainstream outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, blending athletic rigor with journalistic precision. Her career mirrors the routes she climbs – technical, purposeful, and anchored in storytelling that elevates marginalized perspectives.

Career Trajectory: From Crags to Bylines

Berry’s journey began at UKClimbing.com, where she served as Editor-in-Chief for a decade before transitioning to freelance journalism. This foundation in vertical sports reporting informs her unique approach:

• 2015-2020: Established authority through 150+ technical pieces analyzing competition climbing strategies
• 2021-Present: Expanded into geopolitical reporting through sports, covering Ukraine’s Olympic climbers amidst conflict
• 2024: Became one of only three journalists accredited for both Tokyo and Paris Olympic climbing events

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Impact

In the Shadow of the Mountain

This 12,000-word investigation for The Fence dissects the 2015 Everest avalanche through survivor accounts and satellite imagery analysis. Berry reconstructs the disaster timeline while critiquing commercial expedition ethics, using FOIA requests to reveal permit discrepancies. The piece’s lasting impact? Revised insurance requirements for Himalayan guides.

‘The world didn’t care enough’

Featured in The Guardian, this profile traces Ukrainian climber Marjana Herasymenko’s escape from Crimea through six countries to compete in Paris 2024. Berry embedded with Herasymenko’s training camp for three weeks, capturing how war transforms athletic preparation. The article sparked a 214% increase in donations to Ukraine’s climbing federation.

Charting the Course of Tokyo’s Climbing Walls

In this New York Times feature, Berry analyzes how Japan’s $23 million Olympic wall design influences urban planning. Through interviews with 14 architects and 3D modeling data, she reveals how concave surfaces reduce injury rates by 18%. Municipalities from Oslo to Boulder have since adopted these design principles.

Pitching Insights: Navigating Berry’s Editorial Landscape

1. Olympic Legacy Stories

Pitch stories examining how Paris 2024’s climbing events impact local communities. Berry’s Tokyo wall analysis [NYT] demonstrates her interest in infrastructure’s human dimensions. Successful pitches might explore:

• How Marseille’s new climbing center affects housing prices
• Gender parity in route-setting teams

2. Climate Calculus for Climbers

With 22% of her 2024 pieces addressing environmental issues [The Fence], propose data-driven stories on:

• Glacial retreat rates at classic alpine climbs
• Carbon offset programs for expedition companies

Include verifiable metrics from accredited research institutions.

3. Geopolitics Through Gear

Berry’s Guardian piece on Ukrainian climbers exemplifies her focus on material culture. Develop angles like:

• Sanctions’ impact on Russian climbing gear imports
• Rebuilding Donbas climbing gyms as community hubs

Source suggestions must include local NGOs or manufacturers.

Awards and Industry Recognition

“Berry’s work redefines what sports journalism can achieve” – 2024 Alpine Press Award citation

• 2023 AIPS Sport Media Award Finalist: Only climbing journalist shortlisted in 25-year history of the “Pulitzer of sports journalism”
• 2020 Best American Essays Notable Mention: For her Sidetracked Magazine piece on Andean search-and-rescue teams
• Permanent Jury Member: Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature since 2021, judging 80+ annual submissions