The news

An interview with Yuji Hirayama after the first ever 8c on-sight: White Zombi in the Baltzola Cave, Spain.

On 6/10/2004 Yuji Hirayama made the first-ever 8c onsight: White Zombie, Baltzola Cave, Spain.

Jérôme Meyer and Sandrine Levet win the Bouldering event in Huzou, while Tomás Mrázek and Angela Eiter win the Difficulty event in Shanghai. Levet and Daniel Dulac win the 2004 Bouldering World Cup

Serik Kazbekov on-sights Ghegoro 8b+ Covolo and flashes Shalom 8b/+, while Natalia Perlova redpoints Buona notte Fiorellino 7c+ at the same crag.

While the 30 year-old Yosemite Camp 4 restrictions are to come into effect, the Climber Association has organised the first climber volunateer day of the autumn season.

On 27 and 28 August Michele Zandegiacomo Mazzon and Simone Corte Pause made the first ascent of a new route on the south face of Cima Auronzo, Dolomites.

Francesca Chenal has made the first repeat of 'After Eight' 8a at the Castello di Jerzu, Sardinia.

On 23 August Maurizio "Manolo" Zanolla and Riccardo "Sky" Scarian both made the first free ascent of "Cani morti", their 2003 testpiece on the north face of Campanile Basso di Lastei, Pale di San Martino, Dolomites.

On 16 August 2004 at 24.00, Jordi Cormoinas, the leader of the Catalan "Tarragona Magic Line Expedition 2004", made the first repeat of K2's Magic Line. Manuel de la Matta died during the descent.

From 12 -14/08/2004 Silvestro Stucchi, Elena Davila, Anna Lazzarini and Enea Colnago made the first ascent of "Hasta la vista David" (VI+, A1), a new 750m route up the SW Face of Brakk Zang (Baltistan-Pakistan).

On 1 July Josune Bereziartu and Rikar Otegi made the first free ascent of Yeah man on the north face of the Gran Pfad, in the Swiss Gastlosen mountain range.

In July Mauro Bubu Bole made the first free ascent of Italia 61, Piz Ciavaces, Dolomites

The Italian Cristian Brenna sends at Cresciano, Zillertal, Millau and Grotta dell'Areonauta

On 29/07/2004 Patxi Usobiaga made the third ascent of Realization / Biographie, 9a+ at Céüse.

At 9.45 local time on 28 July 2004, Mario Lacedelli and Luciano Zardini reached the summit of K2, 8611m. They reached the top together with the Swiss Mountain Guide Michel Andre Wirdt, a Sherpa and and the Pakistani high altitude...

At 13,30 CET Silvio Mondinelli and Karl Unterchirker reached the summit of K2, followed by Walter Nones, Michele Compagnoni and Ugo Giacomelli at 14.15 (17.15 local time). At roughly 17.50 (local time) four members of the Spanish "Al filo...