The magazine often focuses on "fast and light" ascents and advocates a rigorous clean-climbing style (not leaving gear behind).

On October 16, 2008 the magazine announced that it was closing operations due to financial problems.

[3] In May 2012, Kennedy was replaced as editor-in-chief by longtime contributing editor Katie Ives.

[4] In August 2022, Ives retired and Derek Franz was named as the new editor in chief.

Over the years, notable Alpinist contributors have included David Roberts, Steve House, Marko Prezelj, Kyle Dempster, Steve Swenson, Ian Parnell, Hayden Kennedy, Pat Deavoll, Dean Potter, Nick Bullock, Andy Kirkpatrick, Marc-Andre Leclerc, Brette Harrington, Sibylle Hechtel, Tamotsu Nakamura, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell.