Global Youth Summit reports 2009

Global Youth Summit events were held throughout Europe, as well as in Africa and Asia in 2009. They brought together young mountaineers from an array of cultural backgrounds. Excellent attendance, along with a wide range of activities on offer, illustrated the success and strength of these events.

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International ski touring camp in Slovenia
March 1 – 7
Where: "Beautiful Komna", Slovenia
Who: Young mountaineers between 18 – 30

Mountaineers between 17 and 29 years with basic ski touring experience There was already 4 meters of snow when the group of 21 young people, including five guides, arrived at the hut, Planina na Kraju (1510 m). The participants came from Romania, Serbia, Spain, UK, Norway, Sweden and Slovenia. (read full report)

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International youth expedition to Mt. Elbrus
July 6 – 16
Where: Mt. Elbrus (5,642m), Caucasus, Russia
Who: Young mountaineers between 18 – 30

Participants were photographed on the top with the flags of their countries and a banner of UIAA Youth Commission. In total, 25 people successfully summited. (read full report)

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International youth ascent of Mt. Kazbek
July 11 – 18
Where: Mt. Kazbek (5,047m), central Caucasus, Georgia
Who: Young mountaineers aged 16-30 years

"We joined the team beside the main mail station of Tbilisi. We didn't know we were going to have such unique memories with these strangers..." (read the impressions of an Iranian participant).

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Trekking in South Africa's 'Dragon Mountains'
July 11 – 18
Where: Drakensberg, South Africa
Who: Young hikers aged 16–25

The site for the Youth Meet was in the historic Giant's Castle Reserve - home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture - which lies in the Central Berg region of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site... (read full report).

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International Youth Rock Climbing and Mountaineering festival “Europe – Asia 2009”
July 20 – August 3
Where: Area surrounding Guamka and Peak Fisht in Western Caucasus, Russia
Who: Climbers aged 18-25 years old

The Climbing Federation of Russia oversaw a variety of climbing and mountaineering activities in south Russia (Guamka) and the western Caucasus (Mount Fisht)... (read full report).

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Climbing and hiking camp in the Romanian Carpathians
August 15 – 23
Where: Bicaz Gorges national park in Romania
Who: Young climbers aged 17 to 25, all abilities

Participants from Greece, South Korea, Italy and Romania explored the Bicaz Gorges National Park. They spent the week climbing on Jurassic limestone, hiking in perfect weather and visiting monasteries and Transylvania... (read full report)

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Georgian ski mountaineering
December 18 - 22
Where: Mt Kazbek
Who: Young climbers aged 17 to 25, all abilities

At the request of the Mountaineering and Climbing Association of Georgia(MCAG), the Youth Commission sent Swiss mountain guide Daniel Oberli on an exploratory mission to look at what is needed in terms of technical skills and physical standards, areas where training is needed and how to build a syllabus for youth leader education. (Read more)

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Youth mountaineering trekking in Abruzzo, Italy
July 4 – 12
Where: Abruzzo, Italy. Starts in Pescara
Who: Young hikers between 14 and 17 years old