COVID 19 UPDATE: SITUATION IN BRAZIL

The following communication was published on 6 July by CBME – Brazilian Mountain Hiking and Climbing Confederation (CBME) – the UIAA’s full member in Brazil. The below is a translation from the original article in Portuguese. It's been two months of social detachment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is natural that after so long there is a certain anxiety about resuming mountaineering activities; there is a longing for forests, mountains, boulders, walls, cliffs.  Unlike other countries that have resumed...

COVID-19 UPDATE: MOUNTAINEERING IRELAND

The following update was provided by Jane Carney, Training Officer for Mountaineering Ireland (MI). MI has produced regular advice for the country's hillwalkers and climbers during Covid-19. Guidance has been provided throughout different stages. Like many other federations, MI has cancelled or postponed a number of events. Meetings have taken place online with staff working remotely. Contingency planning for their return, to follow government guidance. Main impacts: Reduction or removal of travel time & cost...

MONT BLANC: WHEN AND WHY DO ROCKS FALL IN THE COULOIR DU GOÛTER?

A new study carried out by the EDYTEM - ISTerre laboratories, supported by the Petzl Foundation, has been conducted to better understand how rockfalls occur in the Goûter couloir, on the normal route up Mont Blanc. The study provides valuable information for mountaineers. In particular the study analyses: Which periods are the most dangerous for mountaineers? What is the ideal time of day to cross the couloir and climb the Goûter ridge? As indicated in the short film to promote the latest research:...

ALPINE HANDBOOKS: NEW LANGUAGES AVAILABLE

As announced at the 2019 UIAA General Assembly, translations of the UIAA Alpine Summer Skills Handbook continue to grow. The guide which covers general knowledge as well as various aspects of alpine hiking, climbing and alpinism, is produced in collaboration with the Petzl Foundation, and has now been commissioned in sixteen different languages. Recent print editions include versions in Czech and Japanese. Climbers interested in copies in these languages are invited to contact the full UIAA member...

EUMA statement on the post-Covid-19 situation

The following statement was published by EUMA, the European Union of Mountaineering Association (a Continental Organisation recognised by the UIAA), on 15 June 2020. EUMA STATEMENT: MOUNTAINEERING POSTCOVID-19 From the EUMA, the European Union of Mountaineering Association, an organisation that includes the mountain and climbing federations and clubs of 25 European countries and representing nearly 3 million members (and many more who are not organized within clubs) who practice mountaineering, hiking, trekking, ski-mountaineering, climbing, etc. on trails...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: Klara Dvorakova

This new UIAA series focuses on the backgrounds of some of the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate precious time and considerable expertise to the federation each year. Klara Dvorakova, head of the UIAA's Legal Experts Working Group, is the subject of the first profile. Klara Dvorakova wears many hats. She is an attorney. A managing partner of a law firm specialising in travel business law, insurance and professional liability. The Honorary Consul of Iceland, as well...

SUSTAINABLE SUMMITS 2020: RESCHEDULING

The fifth international Sustainable Summits Conference, due to take place later this year, will now be held in 2021. The exact dates are to be confirmed. The Sustainable Summits Conferences are inspired by the growing pressures on our mountain environments, the need to find solutions to the impacts of such pressures – overcrowding, waste, noise and more – and a drive to uphold values in sustaining these environments. The next Sustainable Summits conference is being held in...

How to extricate yourself from a crevasse

If the fallen climber isn’t injured and knows how to ascend a rope, crevasse self-rescue will be his/her quickest escape. Precautions Plan for self-rescue before a fall: “If I fall, brace yourselves as much as possible, install an anchor and keep the rope tight. I will climb back out.” Make sure the climbers up on the surface have braced themselves properly. Wait until they’ve installed an anchor before you ascend the rope. Required equipment Two ascending devices. It’s much easier...