UIAA Statement regarding Proposed Restrictions on Mount Everest

The UIAA fully supports the decision by Nepalese authorities to propose more stringent measures for climbers wishing to scale the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (29,029ft / 8,848m). These measures will include individuals having to prove they have already scaled a peak in excess of 6,500m, eliminating the possibility of novice climbers scaling the mountain. "Everest should become a mountaineers’ mountain again,” explains UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt. "We support the requirement restrictions on age (denying access to those...

New Download: UIAA Warning About Climbing Anchor Failures

The UIAA Safety Commission has produced an extensive document charting the factors behind the recent incidents of unexpected climbing anchor failures, notably those under low loads and sometimes after only some months/years in place. The effects of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) has been confirmed as the cause of a number of recent climbing anchor (bolt) failures and is further suspected in many more incidents. Such SCC induced failures may occur within a few...

2015 UIAA Mountain Protection Award Winner

Nepal-based project KTK-BELT (in full ‘Koshi Tappu Kanchenjunga Biodiversity Education Livelihood Tera Studio') has been confirmed as the third winner of the UIAA Mountain Protection Award (MPA). Created in 2013 as a response to forest loss, habitat decrease and a drop in biodiversity, KTK-BELT is a platform for farmers, teachers, designers and environmentalists working together to build community-based biodiversity conservation strategies in the eastern region of Nepal. KTK-BELT was chosen from an impressive list of 22 inspirational...

2015 UIAA General Assembly: A Review

(Seoul, South Korea - 23 October) The UIAA confirms changes to its Statute – the updated version will be available soon; announces a partnership with the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF); presents details of its – and the Nepal Mountaineering Association’s – support to the WFP programme; while KTK-BELT Studio is presented with the Mountain Protection Award for 2015 and Climate Change agreement ratified. 2015 UIAA General Assembly, Seoul (South Korea)  A gathering of UIAA officials, member federations and delegates met...

Join the UIAA in supporting the World Food Programme and Nepal Mountaineering Association’s response in Nepal

Remote Access Operations: Reaching the unreachable Following the April earthquake that shook Nepal and left thousands of people stranded in remote locations beyond the access of roads and helicopters, the World Food Programme (WFP) set up a Remote Access Operation to reach survivors with life-saving food, medicine and shelter. In the Himalayas, a land of expedition, this special operation employs more than 15,000 Nepalese people who are assessing villages and remote communities, clearing access trails and conducting...

The UIAA agrees partnership with Mountain TV

The UIAA and Mountain TV have agreed a partnership for the upcoming two seasons of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour. As part of the agreement, Mountain TV will broadcast the Ice Climbing World Cup on its network of channels, distribute the series in global markets and produce promotional videos throughout the season. Mountain TV, based in Seoul, Korea, have been granted exclusive media rights for the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour in the Asian market. The...

The UIAA integrates Respect the Mountains

The UIAA is delighted to announce the extension of its activities in mountain preservation through the recent addition of the Respect the Mountains campaign. Over the past decade, Respect the Mountains has acted as a guardian of the mountain world raising awareness through the practice of seven cardinal rules: book smart; travel wise; support sustainable practices; be a respectful and responsible mountain tourist; ‘leave no trace’; reduce, reuse, recycle & upcycle (RRRU) and spread the word.   Respect the Mountains has worked tirelessly to promote sustainable mountain tourism both by...

UIAA Mountain Protection Commission attends key international conference on mountains in the UK

Dr Carolina Adler (left) and Ms Valerie Thöni (right) at the «Mountains of Our Future Earth» conference in Perth, UK Two representatives of the UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation), Dr Carolina Adler (member of the Mountain Protection Commission) and Ms Valerie Thöni (UIAA Office collaborator), attended the "Mountains of our Future Earth" conference, which took place in Perth UK between 5-8 October 2015. Held every five years, the Perth conference brings together an extensive community of...

Mountain Freedom v Risk – ‘A Discussion Without Peak’

A round table meeting ‘Mountain Freedom vs. Risk – a discussion without peak’ was held in Brixen (Bressanone), Italy on Friday 16 October under the excellent organization of the IMS (International Mountain Summit) and Dr. Luigi Fiorenzo Festi. The round table discussion sought to answer the following questions: -       Mountains are often used as a synonym for freedom. But where lie the boundaries and where is the limit between freedom and risk? -       How far should freedom reach before the climber puts himself or...

DMM Product Safety Warning -Recall!

It has come to our attention that the locking mechanisms of some DMM locking carabiners are developing a dysfunction. In a small percentage of carabiners, the interaction between the internal coil spring (which gives the gate it’s closing action) and the spring pusher (the component that holds the spring against the carabiner body) may cause the spring pusher to displace, potentially preventing the gate from closing or the mechanism from locking completely. This has raised obvious safety...