[1] Each issue contains feature stories about notable climbs, written by the participants, as well as short notes by climbers about new and noteworthy achievements.

Each issue includes book reviews, memorials of deceased members, and club activities.

The journal was founded in 1907, and during the early decades some volumes covered more than one year.

Other magazines of record for climbing include the American Alpine Journal published by the American Alpine Club, the Alpine Journal published by the Alpine Club (of the United Kingdom), the Himalayan Journal, and Iwa To Yuki, a Japanese journal.

All of these journals are often used by climbers planning expeditions, especially those who wish to verify that a proposed route would be a new one.