Ice Climbers: Champions and Pioneers

Our new series profiles the athletes taking part in the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour. The 2016 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour, supported by The North Face Korea, may have finished in early February but the 170 international athletes who graced this year's competition are already preparing to return stronger, faster and better for next season. In the lead up to the new season, we are profiling a number of athletes, from the all-conquering Russian champion to...

A Mountain Protection Rendezvous

In mid May, and during the same weekend as the UIAA Management Committee session, the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission held both its annual meeting and organised a joint meeting with the UIAA Access Commission. The meetings were held in Baku, Azerbaijan and hosted by FAIREX. UIAA Mountain Protection meeting The following participants took part: Linda McMillan (President, AAC delegate) Joop Spijker (NKBV delegate) Carolina Adler (NZAC) Amin Moein (I.R.IMSCF delegate) Maretha Alant (MSCA) Stephen Goodwin (TAC) Valérie Thöni (UIAA Office) Hélène Denis (UIAA Board) During the meeting, the...

The UIAA: A productive weekend of meetings in Baku

The weekend of 14-15 May proved to be a busy one for the UIAA Management Committee and its Access and Mountain Protection Commissions, who all held meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan.   The Management Committee meetings were organized by FAIREX (Air and Extreme Federation of Azerbaijan). The following decisions were made and topics discussed: The 2015 accounts were approved and will be recommended to the General Assembly. The 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. The final version will be completed in October...

Access Commission meets in Baku

The UIAA Access Commission held its annual meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan on the weekend of 14-16 May, writes Juan Jesus Ibáñez Martin. The event was kindly hosted by FAIREX of Azerbaijan. The UIAA Access and Mountain Protection Commission held a joint meeting in Baku The Access Commission meeting comprised the following participants: -  Juan Jesus Ibáñez Martin (Chair), Spain -  Milos Jodlowski, Poland -  Lode Beckers, Belgium -  Jack Berguin, Ireland -  Joerg Eberlein, expert, Germany The Access Commission's objective is to protect access to our mountains under best practice while...

First Everest summit in nearly three years

Nepalese rope fixing guides reach Mount Everest summit, becoming the first climbers to reach the summit in nearly three years following the disasters which hit the region in 2014 and 2015. Their efforts now open the door for foreign climbers to reach the summit during the upcoming spring climbing season. Ang Tshering Sherpa, UIAA Honorary Member and Nepal Mountaineering Association President reports from Nepal: "A team of nine Sherpa climbers selected from different expedition teams including International...

‘The Mountain God’ awarded best climbing movie

Citadel, by adventure film maker Alastair Lee, and featuring leading British climbers Matt Helliker and Jon Bracey, won the UIAA Award for Best Climbing Film at the 2016 Trento Film Festival on Saturday 7 May. Citadel, dubbed ‘The Mountain God’ is an imposing 3,000m peak in one of the remaining untouched corners of the Great Alaskan Range: the Neacola Mountains. Due to their typically poor conditions and remote location they are largely unexplored. Helliker and Bracey, one the UK's most formidable partnerships in alpine...

Nepal celebrates anniversary of Mount Manalsu and Lhotse ascents

The first ascent of Mt. Manalsu and Mt. Lhotse was celebrated amidst a grand function in Kathmandu on 30 April. Rt. Hon’ble President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, was the Chief Guest of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the First Successful Ascent of Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Lhotse program. At the programme jointly organized by Government of Nepal and Nepal Mountaineering Association, was attended by a galaxy of luminaries from different walks...

Report from April 2016 UIAA Mountaineering Commission meeting

‘The UIAA Mountaineering Commission promotes best practice by identifying and addressing ethical, technical & training, and legal issues of international importance.’ The UIAA Mountaineering Commission met in Prague, Czech Republic, in April 2016, writes Commission representative Phil Wickens. The meeting, which was hosted by the Czech Mountaineering Federation (CMF), was attended by 11 delegates from eight different countries. Jiří Vogel (CMF) described the Czech climbing instructor programme, together with the work of the Czech Mountaineering Federation, which represents 15,000 members. Main...

Introducing the 2016 International Climbers’ Meet

The American Alpine Club is now taking applications for the 2016 International Climbers’ Meet to be held in Yosemite Valley. The American Alpine Club (AAC) is hosting its 9th annual International Climbers’ Meet (ICM), to be held the week of 25 September - 2 October, 2016 in Yosemite Valley. Experience with placement and removal of protection, multi-pitch rope management, at least two years of technical rock climbing, and the ability to follow sustained 5 - 8 granite...

France to host pinnacle ice climbing event

The UIAA is proud to announce that Champagny-en-Vanoise, France - with the support of FFCAM - will host the 2017 UIAA Ice Climbing World Championships in lead and speed. The event will be held at the resort’s famous ice tower on 4-5 February, 2017. The 2017 UIAA Ice Climbing World Championship is a standalone event separated from the events which form the annual UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour, supported by The North Face Korea. The decision by the UIAA...