![The author lounges on the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mat in Colorado's Elk Range with Mt. Sopris (12,965') in the background. [Photo] Amanda Franz](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sea-to-summit-ultralight-air-mat-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mat is a summer backcountry mattress that can pack down to the size of a large burrito and that inflates to provide 2 inches of air cushion. Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz found it to be so comfortable he awarded it a perfect rating. Five stars.
![Latok I (7145m). The North Ridge is the prominent line right of center. [Photo] Courtesy of Mountain.RU](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/latok-rescue-2.jpeg?resize=600%2C445&ssl=1)
After 40 years of thwarted attempts, the North Ridge of Latok I (7145m) has been climbed by Slovenian climbers Ales Cesen and Luka Strazar, and British climber Tom Livingstone.
Out of 58 climbs on the list of “significant ascents” in 2017, the Piolets d’Or committee has announced three climbs and two special mentions to be recognized at the upcoming 2018 award ceremony, which will be held outside of France–at the Ladek Mountain Festival in Poland–for the first time in the ceremony’s history. The event is scheduled for September 20-23. The honorees are Marek Holecek, Zdenek Hak, Kazuya Hiraide, Kenro Nakajima, Frederic Degoulet, Benjamin Guigonnet, Helias Millerioux, Chantel Astorga, Anne Gilbert Chase, Jason Thompson and Alex Honnold.
![The North Ridge of Latok I with Alexander Gukov's position marked in red, where helicopters reached him July 31. [Photo] Courtesy of Mountain.RU](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/latok-rescue-folo-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Alexander Gukov, 42, is safe after spending nearly a full seven days at 6200 meters stuck on the North Ridge of Latok I (7145m) in Pakistan. He was lifted from the mountain by a longline helicopter operation.
![The La Sportiva TX4 Mid was a great, lightweight option for the hike to the top of Saint Vrain Mountain (12,162') in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Visible in the background, from left to right, are Chiefs Head, Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/la-sportiva-tx4-mid-1-1.jpg?resize=824%2C518&ssl=1)
The La Sportiva TX4 Mid boots are described by the company as an “access boot designed to excel in tricky, technical terrain.” Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz finds that the feather-light boots live up to that classification but are not ideal for weak or injured feet that need more support. Four stars.
![An image from a 2018 UIAA World Cup ice climbing competition. [Photo] UIAA/Kirov/Lena Tem](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/uiaa-world-cup-ice-competition-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The American Alpine Club is hosting the UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) World Cup Ice Climbing competition at Colorado’s Denver Civic Center Park on February 23-24. This will be the first time the competition has come to Denver. The event will be free to the public.
![David Allfrey tops out Zodiac on El Capitan at the end of his solo, record-setting ascent June 2, when he finished the route in 10 hours, 52 minutes, 50 seconds. The previous solo record of 11:18 was set by Nick Fowler in 2002. [Photo] Skiy Detray](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/el-cap-speed-records-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
More El Capitan speed records have been set since May 5 when Brandon Adams and Roger Putnam climbed the Shield in 8 hours, 55 minutes; Josie McKee and Diana Wendt set a female speed record on the Salathe, climbing the route in 16:24 on June 1; David Allfrey set the solo record of 10:52:50 on Zodiac on June 2; and Alexa Flower, Jane Jackson and Gena Wood completed the fastest all-female ascent of Zodiac in 16:20 on June 15. Meanwhile, Libby Sauter, who set the female record on the Nose with Mayan Smith-Gobat in 2014, has pulled back from speed climbing and shares her thoughts about the risks people are taking.
![Anne Gilbert Chase, left, and Chantel Astorga on the summit of Denali, June 5, after climbing the Slovak Direct. [Photo] Ian McEleney](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/denali-slovak-direct-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Chantel Astorga and Anne Gilbert Chase made what is likely the first female ascent, and only the ninth ascent overall, of the Slovak Direct (5.9 X M6 WI6+, 9,000′) on Denali (20,310′). They summited June 5 after starting the climb June 2.
![Derek Franz wears the Black Diamond Vision Harness on Keep Your Powder Dry (5.12b), the Trophy, Red Rocks, Las Vegas. [Photo] Elizabeth Riley](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/black-diamond-vision-harness-1-1.jpeg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Black Diamond describes the new Vision Harness as an ultralight alpine harness that is “the lightest fully functional harness we’ve ever made.” Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz put the claim to the test and was fairly satisfied with the results, awarding it four stars.
![Latok I (7145m). The North Ridge is the prominent line right of center. [Photo] Courtesy of Mountain.RU](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/latok-rescue-2-1.jpeg?resize=600%2C445&ssl=1)