![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)
Metrophobia: A Thirst for Adventure
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)
DMM Apex Ice Tool Review: Heavy-duty and Ready to Rumble
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.
![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)
![Tears of the Dragon (Russian Grade 6B, A3 M5, 1150m) marks the second ascent of the Great Wall (5120m) via the northeast face. [Photo] Team archive](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/great-wall-route.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
![The DMM Pivot is an assisted-braking belay device that works well for top-belaying a climber directly from the anchor, as shown here. [Photo] Peter Braam](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dmm-pivot-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The DMM Pivot: Innovation Worth the Effort
The DMM Pivot shines as a simple, all-around assisted-braking belay device.
![Kim Schmitz at the high camp on the first ascent of Gaurishankar (7181m), Nepal, 1979. [Photo] John Roskelley](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kim-schmitz-remembered-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
![Marc-Andre Leclerc hauls a pack up a pitch on The Winter Link-Up route during his solo ascent of Torre Egger [Photo] Marc-Andre Leclerc](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/leclerc-2.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
![The Mammut Wall Rider Helmet. [Photo] Drew Thayer](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mammut-wall-rider-helmet-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review
“Smaller rocks inevitably rained down. Just as the barrage ceased, a small rock whacked me in the head…. On the hard shell of the helmet, where the rock had hit, was a small ding. No cracks, no mess, just one clean dimple.” Drew Thayer reviews the Mammut Wall Rider Helmet.
![Field and Zimmerman gaze at Allincapac (5780) from the summit of Pico Carol. [Photo] Nathan Heald](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/new-routes-in-perus-carabaya-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)