![View of Devils Thumb (Taalkhunaxhk'u Shaa) from the front yard of Dieter Klose. [Photo] Mike McMahon](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/pressure-lift-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
In this story from Alpinist 61, Cole Taylor recounts his solo journey of sailing north along the Pacific coast from Washington, navigating miles of crevassed glaciers and pulling off the second ascent of the North Pillar of Devils Thumb (Taalkhunaxhk’u Shaa) with borrowed gear, 40 years after it was first done by Bob Plumb and Dave Stutzman.
![The author wearing the Grivel Stealth Hardshell helmet on the second-to-last pitch of Prodigal Sun in Zion, October 2017. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/grivel-stealth-hs-helmet-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The Grivel Stealth Hard Shell helmet offers the protection of a hard shell and a foam helmet in one, making it durable against repeated knocks as well as from side impacts. Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz found it to be a worthy brain bucket for big-wall, ice and alpine climbing, but the strap system and one-size fit left a bit to be desired. Four stars.
Anthony Marra, Jessica Kelley and Alex Gaber are the first recipients of the inaugural Kyle Dempster Solo Adventure Award, which was created to honor the legacy of the revered alpinist and soloist. These three adventurers plan to climb, bike, ski and surf in New Zealand, Alaska and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
![Fred Beckey on the summit of Mt. Goode. [Photo] Douglas McCarty](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/a-short-stretch-of-freds-road-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
In this story from Alpinist 61, Douglas McCarty recalls his adventures on the road with Fred Beckey, which started in 1972 when McCarty and a friend hopped a freight train from Montana to Seattle, where the 17-year-olds subsequently met Beckey. Since then, McCarty joined the legendary mountaineer on trips to Alaska, China, Kenya, Mexico and Tanzania, with urban bivies at public parks in between.
