![Nicolodi starts up the crux pitch of The Resistance, a pick seam that widens to a 5-inch offwidth, on an attempt last February. [Photo] Adam Bidwell](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xnicolodi-free-climb-1-900x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Ve-WprxMbs.jpg)
In March 2022, Jon Nicolodi was able to free two old aid routes as mixed climbs: Across the Great Divide (M8 R, 5 pitches, 550′)
… Read More »Jon Nicolodi frees two classic mixed lines in his home state of New Hampshire
![Ukrainian mountaineer Alina Kosovska during her trek of the Transcarpathian Route in 2022. She finished the route on February 14, becoming the first person to complete it in winter. [Photo] Courtesy of Alina Kosovska](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshots-of-ukraine-war-1-930x620.jpg)
From fighting in active combat on the front lines, to scrambling to find food and supplies, to struggling to find a refuge for their families
… Read More »Ukrainian alpinists share stories of life amid the Russian invasion
On March 25, 2022, in an impressive 15-hour push, the 25-year-old Austrian Laura Tiefenthaler became the second known woman to solo the Heckmair Route on
![The author was thankful for the slick sheath of the Sterling Ion R 9.4 XEROS rope, which helped reduce rope drag on long pitches in the Tetons without the gummy feel that is characteristic of so many dry-treated ropes. [Photo] Noah Bergman](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sterling-ion-xeros-rope-1-1-675x620.jpg)
Mountain Standards Gear Review: Corey Buhay, a member of the US Ice Climbing Team, has been testing the Sterling Ion R 9.4 XEROS rope. The
… Read More »Sterling Ion R 9.4 XEROS rope: Every filament is dry-treated and made for the alpine
![Corey Buhay leads East Vail Falls (WI 3/4) with the Grivel Dark Machine ice tools. [Photo] Erica Givans](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xgrivel-dark-machine-ice-tools-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.wVH9hc_qpp.jpg)
US Ice Climbing Team Member and Ouray Ice Festival gold medalist Corey Buhay has been using the Grivel Dark Machines all season, from Colorado to
… Read More »Grivel Dark Machines: A specialist’s tool for steep ice
![Lauren Shartell refines moves on the Lightning (M12+/M13-) in the Rigid Designator Amphitheatre, Vail, Colorado, the day before she redpointed the route on November 8. She's now the second US woman to send the climb as well as the grade of M13-, but she suggested downgrading the route to M12+. [Photo] Courtesy of Kyle Barker](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xlauren-shartell-on-the-lightning-1-853x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.RXeeltpjJY.jpg)
Lauren Shartell sent the Lightning in Vail’s Rigid Designator Amphitheatre on November 8. In doing so, she became the second US woman to climb the
… Read More »Lauren Shartell becomes the second US woman to send the Lightning
![The Hi Q Luxe Pro Pull On's durable water-resistant coating and super durable fabric meant it was tough enough to climb both rock and ice in a variety of conditions. Here, Alexander Kenan takes it for a test spin on this ice curtain to the left of Spiral Staircase (WI4) in Vail, Colorado. [Photo] Travis Fried](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/montane-hi-q-luxe-pro-pull-on-review-2-1-930x620.jpg)
Corey Buhay finds the Montane Hi Q Lux Pro Pull On jacket to be a versatile piece of equipment for staying warm and dry in
… Read More »Montane Hi Q Luxe Pro Pull On: Breathable enough to approach, warm enough to belay
![The Grivel Lambda HMS Twin Gate proved burly and reliable for clipping crucial pieces of gear, such as this high first screw on a particularly thin Coors Lite (WI2-3, 300') in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Alexander Kenan](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2-lambda-1-871x620.jpg)
The Grivel Lambda HMS Twin Gate is an unusual auto-locking carabiner that can be clipped with one hand and provides extra security on critical protection
… Read More »Grivel Lambda HMS Twin Gate: Comforting If You’re Not Wearing Gloves
Eric Klimt, a climber, teacher and videographer from Baltimore, Maryland, passed away in a climbing accident in Zion National Park on March 9. His family
