SafeCom: Fixed anchors needed for testing

The UIAA Safety Commission (SafeCom) is seeking top anchors for evaluation and testing. Background Welding is a critical process in the manufacture of climbing top anchors. In the best of circumstances welding is a difficult to control process; manual welding of stainless steels is particularly challenging and...

Mammut recall of removable Airbag System 3.0

UIAA Safety Label holder, Mammut, has shared the following information regarding a security recall for various avalanche backpacks with the Removable Airbag System 3.0. This, together with all other equipment recalls communicated to the UIAA Safety team, can be found on the Recalls & Warnings page. Communication...

REVIEW: 2020 UIAA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The 2020 UIAA General Assembly (GA) was held on 23-24 October. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual meeting took place online for the first time in the federation’s 88-year history. A record number of delegates - 130 representatives from 68 countries - joined on...

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE: UIAA PROGRESS ON NEW STRATEGY AND COMMISSION PROJECTS

Ahead of next month’s online UIAA General Assembly (GA), the UIAA Management Committee (MC) and Commission Presidents held a virtual session on Saturday 26 September with a focus both on preparing for the GA and the federation’s strategic plans for 2021 and beyond. Following an opening...

UIAA SAFECOM ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS.
ROPE TESTING

The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – regularly receives questions related to safety topics. The UIAA Safety Commission, with support of other UIAA Commissions and experts, recently commenced a series of articles answering common questions with the objective of making them available to...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: LIONEL KIENER

By day, Lionel Kiener is a micro-mechanical engineer for Neuchâtel-based research company CSEM. In his spare time he is a keen climber and one of the many volunteers who gives up their precious time to support the UIAA. Kiener has been volunteering with the UIAA for...

MONT BLANC: WHEN AND WHY DO ROCKS FALL IN THE COULOIR DU GOÛTER?

A new study carried out by the EDYTEM - ISTerre laboratories, supported by the Petzl Foundation, has been conducted to better understand how rockfalls occur in the Goûter couloir, on the normal route up Mont Blanc. The study provides valuable information for mountaineers. In particular the study analyses: Which periods are...