UIAA Rock Climbers’ Award: the Aggtelek Climbing Festival

Following a sucessful event in South Africa, the 2nd UIAA Rock Climbers’ Award will take place 14 – 16 August during the Aggtelek Climbing Festival, Hungary. As for the first edition, a prize of CHF 1’000 will be shared between the best male and female athlete of the event. In attendance will be Peter Farkas, Vice-President of the UIAA, who is part of the Award Assessment Team. For more details, please follow the links: UIAA Rock Climber' Award   The UIAA Rock Climbers’ Award in few words: From its establishment in 1932,...

Mémento Montagne été English Release!

The popular Mémento Montagne été with the help of the Alpine Club of Canada has been translated into English. This handbook, with the support of the Petzl Foundation, was intended as a reference book for trip leaders and instructors of clubs and federations within the UIAA. It has been compiled by consultation with experts from many countries participating in the UIAA Training Standards, and has been "field-tested" on numerous courses world-wide. We are delighted to announce that the English-language version...

Camp announces recalls for crampons

AMP (Concezione Articoli Montagna Premana) has announced a recall for two sets of crampons: RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT Cassin Blade Runner Crampons If you have purchased a pair of Cassin Blade Runner (ref. 37801, 37803) or Blade Runner Alpine Crampons (ref. 37802, 37804), CAMP asks you to stop using them immediately and follow the procedures below to process your warranty claim. Batch numbers affected by this recall are: 1 12 | 1 13 | 2 13 | 3 13 |...

Warning Notice Tech Rock Anchors

Tech Rock has issued a warning for faulty anchors. If you detect corrison or tiny cracks in your FIXE anchors please report the problemto the UIAA at safetylabel@theuiaa.org.   ...

2015 UIAA Mountain Protection Award nominations

Harnessing the power of the sun in the Pamirs (Photo: http://www.leworld.org) They are initiatives and projects involving the preservation of biodiversity, waste, renewable energy in countries as diverse as Bhutan, Azerbaijan, Ireland, Peru, Tajikistan, Malaysia and Argentina. What connects them is they involve innovative efforts by associations and travel companies to practice sustainable and responsible adventure tourism, so that those who explore the mountains around the world leave a light footprint behind them. All nine projects are eligible for...

New UIAA recommendations provides guidance for alpine helicopter rescue personnel

Helicopter evacuation of injured from Everest Base Camp after Nepal earthquake triggered avlanche (Photo: CNN) Some of the most dangerous missions by crews of helicopter rescue services take place on snow, ice and rock faces on mountains under difficult and complex conditions. Responders face a multitude of stressors and risk factors like extreme noise levels, cold, high workload, environmental factors (rock or icefall, slippery or ice capped terrain), and so much more. "Additionally they must be able to...

Italy plans a party to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of Matterhorn

Italy is joining France in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of Matterhorn with a series of festive events between 10 July and 19 July in Cervinia, Valtournenche and Valle d'Aosta. "It is a big and joyous celebration of an important anniversary for climbers and mountaineers," said Lucia Foppoli of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and a supporting partner for the event. The celebrations in Italy and France mark the first ascent of the Matterhorn, first on 14 July...

Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sport meets UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt

Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Azerbaijan Republic with UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt The development of climbing and mountaineering and the role the UIAA could play was front and centre at a meeting between UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt and Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Azerbaijan Republic. "The UIAA is grateful to the Minister of Youth of Sport for his enthusiasm and goal to develop climbing and mountaineering in Azerbaijan,” said Vrijlandt. "We...

New standard for snow picket approved by UIAA Safety Commission

UIAA 155 is newest standard released by the Safety Commission The UIAA Safety Commission unanimously adopted the snow picket standard, UIAA-155 in June. This new standard, fills a gap in UIAA Safety Standards with requirements derived from snow anchor (dead-men) and piton standards. The requirements set forth in UIAA standards provide a baseline for the performance of climbing and mountaineering equipment. There are 21 UIAA Safety Standards developed by mountaineers and climbers for the mountaineering and climbing community that cover...

Update: UIAA Medical Commission annual meeting

Medical Commission members in Greece The UIAA Medical Commission had its annual meeting on the island of Kalymnos, which included the opportunity for attendees to climb its immaculate limestone crags. Commission President Dr. David Hillebrandt reported that two-day meeting included one-day discussion Medical Commission business and the two days offering lectures to the local climbing community and basic first aid training to the Kalymnos mountain rescue team. "It was good to see so many of our members report...