UIAA TO UPDATE ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND GUIDELINES

The year 2022 was declared the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development (IYM2022) by the UN General Assembly. This was twenty years on from the first UN declared International Year of the Mountains, in 2002. On that occasion the UIAA released its seminal paper, Environmental Objectives and Guidelines. Twenty years on, and as a contribution from the UIAA to the observance of the IYM2022, the UIAA GA endorsed kickstarting the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission (MPC) project...

A YEAR ON: GIROPARCHI NATURE TRAIL REFLECTS ON PROGRESS

Almost a year on from winning the 2020-21 UIAA Mountain Protection Award, the organisers of the Giroparchi Nature Trail project by Fondation Grand Paradis, have reflected on the progress their project has made since winning the award. This year marked a significant anniversary both for the project and the mountain environment in which it is active. Giroparchi celebrated its tenth anniversary while the Gran Paradiso National Park, located between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont in the Italian Alps,...

SUPPORT THE POLISH MOUNTAINEERING ASSOCIATION’S CLIMBERS FROM UKRAINE CAMPAIGN

Promoting and encouraging solidarity between its member associations has always been a core principle of the UIAA.  A recent example has been the support that the Polish Mountaineering Association (PZA) has offered Ukrainian climbers ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this year, the PZA created a PZA4UA project which offered the following: Accommodation for more than 30 climbers from Ukraine. Surveys to gather information on the needs of Ukrainian climbers. Professional training and coaching...

Understanding Mountain Sports Accidents

Since 2012, the Petzl Foundation, a longstanding partner of the UIAA, has funded research into mountain sport accidents. Its long-term aim is to improve prevention. Due to the lack of accurate information and the absence of communication, several social science research laboratories have joined forces to launch an international study related to mountain sport accidents. As reported at the recent UIAA General Assembly, the UIAA is also reinforcing its commitment to the study and collation of...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: GERGO SANTHA

Over 250 volunteers support the UIAA whether as part of its Executive Board, Management Committee or Commissions. Gergo Santha (MHSSZ, Hungary) has served the UIAA for the past year supporting aspects of the federation's work in training. He also currently acts as Head of Training within the Hungarian Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation. Gergo Santha’s relationship with the UIAA began in his home city of Budapest, when he was introduced to Training Panel members at a...

PRIORITIES AND PROJECTS FOR 2023

One of the significant segments of the recent UIAA General Assembly (see review here) was the platform provided to the UIAA Commissions, responsible for delivering the federation’s core projects and in alignment with its Strategic Plan. Below is a summary of the Commission presentations from the GA. Legal Affairs President: Klara Dvorakova, Czech Republic (CMLA) The Legal Affairs Commission was created this year. Its mandate is to support all UIAA bodies and specifically in assessing the legality of...

2023 FRENCH ALPS YOUTH ICE CLIMBING CAMP DATES CONFIRMED

The UIAA Youth Commission has confirmed details of its first event for 2023. The popular annual Ice Climbing Camp in Guillestre, Hautes Alpes (France) will be held from 19-25 February. The main goal of this ice climbing camp is to allow youngsters to practice many forms of ice climbing - single pitch, or routes with multiple pitches, and also how to manage training. The camp is open to international climbers aged between 16 and 26. The full programme...

UIAA SAFECOM ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS: LIST OF KNOTS

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: Much is said about knots for ropes in the mountains, and as the UIAA is the world authority on the subject, my query is the following: What...

REVIEW: UIAA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2022

The 2022 UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – General Assembly (GA) was held in Banff, Canada on Saturday 29 October and hosted by the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC). It marked the UIAA’s 82nd GA and the third in Banff following events in 1988 and 2006. A recap of the key decisions are covered below. A more comprehensive review, including information from panel discussions and the climate change summit, will be made available in...

Remembering Alex Klenov

The UIAA is saddened to hear about the recent passing of Alex Klenov at the age of 60. Alex volunteered considerable time to the UIAA chiefly as a member of the UIAA Youth Commission. The following tribute is courtesy of Anne Arran, current UIAA Management Committee member and former UIAA Youth Commission President. Alex Klenov (Sasha) was renowned as being the “Chief Ideologist of Pure Style in Russia,” making a move away from aid climbing where he...