UIAA Safety Label Holder Petzl has communicated an immediate recall of PIRANA descenders (D005AA00 and D005AA01) due to a drowning risk if the rope accidentally gets blocked in the blocking slot. Immediately stop using the descenders affected by this recall. Full details including what to do if you are impacted by this recall A reminder that an archive of all recalls & warnings submitted to the UIAA by UIAA Safety Label Holders can be found here....
In February 2021, the UIAA launched the Mountain Worker Initiative (MWI), guided by its Mountaineering Commission, to promote ethical trekking and mountaineering practices worldwide with a focus on the lives of mountain workers. The idea to form this initiative is inspired by the agency behind The Porter: The Untold Story at Everest. In March 2021, a dedicated webinar was held to kick-off this new project. Details on the background of the initiative and its mission are...
The following update comes from UIAA Unit Member, International Skyrunning Federation. SkySnow, the new skyrunning discipline, will launch the first World Championships on February 4-5, 2022, in Andalusia at the Sierra Nevada Ski and Mountain Resort, Granada, Spain. Despite international Covid restrictions, fifteen ISF Member countries across the world have confirmed entry: Andorra, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, USA. Unfortunately, Japan has had to withdraw. SkySnow was introduced at the International Skyrunning Federation 2020 General Assembly and embraces the traditional concept of skyrunning – running...
Through its member association the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC), the UIAA is saddened to hear about the recent passing of John Nankervis. John Nankervis was closely involved with the UIAA serving as a Management Committee member/Continental Representative from October 2008 to October 2013. One of his many significant contributions was working with the late Doug Scott, UIAA Honorary Member, and others on an update to the UIAA Mountain Ethics Code in 2009. Nankervis, who enjoyed...
The following report is courtesy of Cristina Cucu, Romanian Alpine Club representative on the UIAA Youth Commission. Cristina reports on activities organised in Romania in collaboration with the UIAA Youth Commission. Further details on UIAA Youth Commission events and how to get involved will be published shortly. OCTOBER WORKSHOP Workshop organised to initiate people into climbing more difficult routes. The workshop was meant to teach hikers the basics for passing to another level, from a normal hike to...
Since first hosting a UIAA Ice Climbing competition in 2018, Finland has become a permanent and popular World Tour venue. From 18-20 February, the city of Oulu will host FINICE, encompassing the UIAA European Championships, UIAA Youth European Championships and Finnish Championships. Further details on how to follow the event will be provided on the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour website shortly. Over recent seasons, in close cooperation with the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission and as...
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, has published a series of articles answering common questions with the objective of making them available to the wider climbing community. The latest question is: I have read with great interest your safety advice article about when to retire equipment. But one question I did not see addressed is about dropped...
Based in Redmond, Oregon, Stephen Gladieux (American Alpine Club, AAC) is the tenth profile in the UIAA’s volunteer series. For nearly a decade, Stephen has supported the UIAA Safety Commission becoming an official member in 2020. He is one of a number of volunteers who has dedicated significant time and expertise to spearheading SafeCom’s impressive work in delivering Safety Standards of international repute. ON STARTING WITH THE UIAA Stephen Gladieux: I started getting involved with the UIAA...
Following its online meeting held on 7 December, the UIAA Covid-19 Committee is recommending the following guidelines. While the Covid-19 situation continues to be complex and different from region to region, the UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – recommends that its members continue to encourage climbers and mountaineers to: Benefit from national Covid-19 vaccination and booster programmes. Adhere to all prevailing national and regional Covid-19 rules and regulations. Comply with all preventive measures - whether...
The UIAA has published its Carbon Footprint Report for 2020. This report outlines the results of ongoing monitoring and reporting of the UIAA's carbon footprint, which is in response to the federation's signed commitment in early 2019 and participation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Sports for Climate Action. This is the third annual Carbon Footprint Report (CFR) published by the UIAA. Reports for 2018 and 2019 can be found here. The Report...