![Kyle Dempster and Bruce Normand in Shuangqiao Valley, Siguiang Shan Mountains, Sichuan, China. [Photo] Andrew Burr](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/the-mountain-stories-of-kyle-dempster.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
At the time of his disappearance on the Ogre II, Kyle Dempster was one of the most promising mountain storytellers of his generation. Alpinist editor-in-chief Katie Ives looks back at some of work, and wonders about the writer he might have become.
![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://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2-lambda-1.jpg?resize=871%2C620&ssl=1)
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 points. Just don’t try to use it with gloves.
![Mike Lewis nearing the summit of La Parva Peak (3630m), Chile. [Photo] Jack Klim](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dynafit-yotei-gtx-jacket-review-2-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Mike Lewis awards the Dynafit Yotei GTX Jacket five stars for its light weight, versatility and thoughtful design. There was but one tiny flaw…
Chris Van Leuven takes the Metolius Ultralight Master Cams on a cragging tour from New York to Colorado, and awards them four out of five stars.
![Antoine Moineville and Christian Laddy Ledergerber paddle in the North Atlantic Ocean. [Photo] Silvan Schuepbach](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1-kayaks-with-iceberg.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Doing a first ascent on a remote big wall was not enough for a team of three Swiss and two French men, who opted to sea kayak 170 kilometers with all their provisions just to reach the climb.
![Tim Farr using the DMM Apex tools on Jeff's Slide (WI3-) in Smugglers Notch, Vermont. [Photo] Andrea Charest](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dmm-apex-2-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The DMM Apex ice tools hold up to abuse and work well in a variety of terrain. Vermont climbing guide Tim Farr awards them four stars out of five.
![Topo of Nick Bullock and Paul Ramsden's North Buttress route (ED+ 1600m) on Nyainqentangla South East. Their descent on the east ridge is marked in green. [Photo] Nick Bullock](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/british-alpinists-1-1.jpg?resize=768%2C620&ssl=1)
![Marc-Andre Leclerc leads one of the pitches of the unrepeated six-pitch ice runnel in the bottom half of Titanic (7b M5 WI4 950m) on Torre Egger (2850m) during his all-free two-day ascent. [Photo] Austin Siadak](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1-ice-runnel.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
![Swiss climber Dani Arnold free solos the Via Carlesso (7a+ or 5.12a 650m) on Torre Trieste (2458m) in Italy's Dolomite spires. [Photo] Dani Arnold collection](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dani-arnold-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)