![Whitney Clark traversing out from one of the supercaves while climbing The Tiger on Washington Pass with the Beal Opera rope. [Photo] Will Stanhope](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/beal-opera-rope-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Whitney Clark was skeptical about the Beal Opera’s skinny 8.5mm diameter when she first laid her hands on it–how well could such a thin cord… Read More »The Beal Opera: An 8.5mm rope that is as strong and waterproof as it is light
![The author wearing the La Sportiva Testarossa climbing shoes at a crag near Redstone, Colorado. [Photo] Nat Gustafson](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/la-sportiva-testarossa-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz has been using the slightly redesigned La Sportiva Testarossa climbing shoes for the past several months and discovered what he’s… Read More »La Sportiva Testarossa: Still one of the best climbing shoes money can buy
Alaskan climber Clint Helander generally prefers softshell jackets instead of hardshells when climbing and skiing, but the Rab Muztag GTX Jacket proved to be an… Read More »Rab Muztag GTX Jacket: A worthy high-end shell that is light and durable
![Derek Franz on Magnetar (5.13d), Rifle Mountain Park, Colorado. The Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw is the first one clipped to the rope above the ground, near the lower right corner of the frame. The carabiner that the Bulletproof draw replaced was severely grooved. [Photo] Karissa Frye](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/edelrid-bulletproof-quickdraw-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor tested the Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw at Rifle Mountain Park, a world-famous sport crag where the volume of traffic frequently destroys carabiners. The… Read More »Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw: The burliness of steel with the lightness of aluminum
![The author appreciating the sticky rubber of the Salewa Wildfire Edge approach shoes during a log crossing on a backpack trip in western Colorado last June. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/salewa-wildfire-edge-1-2-930x620.jpeg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz has been wearing the Salewa Wildfire Edge approach shoes everywhere for the last several months. He reports that the shoes… Read More »Salewa Wildfire Edge: Technical approach shoes to keep up with the mountain goats
![The author preparing the Peak Refuel Sweet Pork and Rice entree at Camp 1 on Ama Dablam in Nepal. [Photo] Clint Helander collection](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/peak-refuel-1-2-930x620.jpeg)
Clint Helander recently discovered a new personal standard when it comes to freeze-dried food. In this review he explains why Peak Refuel meals are in… Read More »Peak Refuel Meals: setting a high bar for freeze-dried food
![Derek Franz enjoying coffee and oatmeal made with the Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset during a backpack trip in western Colorado last June. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sea-to-summit-alpha-pot-cookset-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz tested the Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset and awarded it five stars for its “lightweight, compact, self-contained and user… Read More »Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset 2.1: Light, compact, self-contained and user friendly
![Chris Kalman enjoying the comfort of the D4 Octapod portaledge at the top of the third pitch of Moonlight Buttress (V 5.12+), Zion National Park. [Photo] Nelson Klein](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xd4-octapod-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.HsfeLPELjn.jpg)
Chris Kalman details his experience with the D4 Octapod, a unique portaledge designed by the legendary big-wall gear inventor John Middendorf. Kalman tells the story… Read More »D4 Octapod: A unique portaledge that is lightweight, low-profile and easy to set up
![The Allak 3 tent on a windy day near Jones Pass, Colorado. With the guy-lines taut and the canopy affixed, this tent is ready for any storm. [Photo] Drew Thayer](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xhilleberg-allak-3-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.r6MAYpgkTP.jpg)
Drew Thayer did some winter camping in the Hilleberg Allak 3 and awarded it five stars. He writes, “My overall impression of the Allak 3… Read More »Hilleberg Allak 3: A light and livable 3-person, 4-season tent
![Clint Helander wearing the La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme boots on an ice climb. [Photo] John Giraldo](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/la-sportiva-trango-tower-extremes-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Clint Helander tested the La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme GTX boots on some Alaskan ice climbs and cannot think of a single con. He reports… Read More »La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme GTX boots: Ideal for ice/mixed climbing and single-day mountaineering
![Derek Franz wears the Mountain Equipment Tupilak 30+ on Hidden Falls (WI4, 3 pitches) in Glenwood Canyon on New Years Eve, 2018. [Photo] Craig Helm](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mountain-equipment-tupilak-30-1-2-930x620.jpeg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz writes of the Mountain Equipment 30+ backpack, “This is the most hardcore rucksack I’ve ever used…. No frills. All utilitarian… Read More »Mountain Equipment Tupilak 30+: Simple, light and ‘hardcore’
![[Photo] Mandi Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xclimbing-addicts-colored-chalk-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.AIsKGxRUn4.jpg)
A review of Climbing Addicts “Yosemite Gray” and “Wall Street Gold” Chalk prompts a treatise on climbing chalk by Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz. He… Read More »Climbing Addicts Chalk Blends In
