UIAA contributes to study comparing elite ice and sport climbers

Members of the UIAA Anti-Doping and Medical Commissions contributed to a recent paper published studying the anthropometric, strength, endurance and flexibility characteristics of elite male ice climbers and sport climbers. The study is published in the German Journal of Sports Medicine. The purpose of this study was to compare elite male ice climbers and sport climbers for their anthropometry, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. Although there is a certain overlap between these two activities, sport climbing,...

2020 UIAA ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – has published its 2020 Annual Report. The report is available in digital format and can be downloaded from the following link - spreads version, pages version. Anybody interested in receiving a printed copy can do so by filling in the following form. Please note that there is a limited print run and first priority will be given to UIAA member associations and delegates. The digital report offers quick access to...

Adventure Travel and the Covid-19 Pandemic

In their capacity as medical professionals and volunteers, members of the UIAA Medical Commission have provided frontline support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. On behalf of the UIAA, they have also provided valuable support to the dedicated UIAA Covid-19 Taskforce and have worked on literature to provide mountain users with the best possible advice. Last year MedCom members contributed to the first paper to tackle the subject of Covid-19 and the potential risks of outdoor sports. In...

SAVE THE DATE: UELI STECK FILM SUBJECT OF NEXT UIAA WEBINAR

Following the success of the UIAA’s first Mountain Network Series (MNS) webinar in March, details of the second event are now available. The webinar will centre around a documentary on the late Ueli Steck. The ‘Swiss Machine’ was one of the climbing world’s most emblematic figures. A two-time Piolet d’Or winner, Steck was revered for his speed records. On 30 April 2017, Steck, 40, died after falling during a solo climb on Nuptse (Khumbu, Nepal). Extracts from...

CALL FOR CASE STUDIES ON PLASTIC WASTE IN REMOTE AND MOUNTAINOUS AREAS

Following the launch of the first-ever global survey of the public on waste in mountain areas earlier this year, the UIAA now extends a call for case studies on plastic waste in remote and mountainous areas, under the initiative of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat). In cooperation with GRID-Arendal and funding from the Governments of France and Norway, the BRS Secretariat is implementing a project addressing the environmentally sound...

STRATEGIC MEETINGS SET CLEAR PATHWAY FOR UIAA

The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – Management Committee (MC) held its second online meeting of 2021 on 1 May. It was followed, as is now custom, by a meeting of the Executive Board, MC and UIAA Commission Presidents. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Following an opening address by UIAA President Peter Muir, Françoise Jaquet, UIAA Treasurer, detailed the UIAA’s financial result 2020 for General Assembly recommendation before presenting the first 2021 budget forecast. One of the more significant...

Registration open for 2021 Youth Climbing Camp in Ariege

Registration is open for this year’s UIAA Global Youth event in Ariege, France. The camp takes place from 6-11 July and is open to youngsters from 16-25 years old. The event is organised by the UIAA Youth Commission and the Toulouse branch of FFCAM. The event forms part of the UIAA's Global Youth Summit events. The main goal of the camp is for youngsters to practice and develop many forms of climbing, cliffs with one pitch,...

UIAA SAFECOM ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS:
Disinfecting climbing equipment

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. This month’s question is: Is there is a recognised procedure to disinfect/clean climbing equipment (such as harnesses, helmets, ropes) other than the usual cleaning process of using mild soap and...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: JUAN JESÚS IBAÑEZ MARTIN

For over 21 years, Juan Jesús Ibañez Martin (FEDME, Spain) has supported the UIAA as a volunteer primarily lending his expertise in the field of access. Joining the Access Commission in 2000 he has risen through the ranks from full member to secretary and more recently as President of the now Working Group which forms part of the Mountaineering Commission. At May’s UIAA Management Committee meeting, Ibañez Martin’s eight-year term came to an end with...

LATEST CLIMBING EQUIPMENT RECALL INFORMATION

The UIAA Safety Commission has shared details of three recent equipment recalls. Text marked in italics is provided by the individual manufacturer. Climbing Technology – Easy Speed As a precautionary measure, Climbing Technology is voluntarily recalling its EASY SPEED (Ref. No. 2F714), subject to verification by the user. Full details and related instructions can be found here. Péguet – Safety Warning – Maillon Rapide 8mm Standard Zinc plated steel EN362 / EN12275 Ref.MRNZ08.0 CE EN   Further details can be found here and through...