ROMANIAN ALPINE CLUB PLAYS ACTIVE ROLE IN ENCOURAGING YOUTH

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...

FINICE SETS SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS FOR ICE CLIMBING COMPETITIONS

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...

UIAA SAFECOM ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS: RETIRING CARABINERS

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...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: STEPHEN GLADIEUX

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...

UIAA COVID-19 COMMITTEE GUIDELINES

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...

UIAA RELEASES ANNUAL CARBON FOOTPRINT REPORT

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...

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY 2021

11 December marks the United Nations' annual International Mountain Day.  This year's theme is sustainable mountain tourism. This article offers access to a number of resources and details on UIAA activities around the milestone. OFFICIAL THEME FOR 2021 Sustainable tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and promoting poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation. It is a way to preserve the natural, cultural and spiritual heritage, to promote...

MOUNTAIN WORKER INITIATIVE:
AN UPDATE

In February, 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, a dedicated webinar was held to kick-off this new project. Details on the background of the initiative and its mission are provided...

2020-2021 UIAA MOUNTAIN PROTECTION AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED

Giroparchi Nature Trail by Fondation Grand Paradis, a project based in the north of Italy has been named as winner of the 2020-2021 UIAA Mountain Protection Award partnered by the Bally Peak Outlook Foundation. Giroparchi Nature Trail is a nature trekking activity project located in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park – the oldest of its kind in Italy – and open to teenagers between the ages of 11 and 14 from both the...

UIAA RELEASES 2022 MEETINGS CALENDAR

The UIAA Executive Board recently confirmed the federation's calendar of meetings for 2022. Highlights include: UIAA General Assembly (GA) The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) will host the 2022 GA in Banff, Canada on Saturday 29 October. It will be the third time that the GA has been held in Banff following meetings in 1988 and 2006. 2022 marks the 82nd UIAA General Assembly. UIAA Management Committee (MC) The MC is scheduled to convene four times with two confirmed online...