The news

From 22 - 25 April the 17th edition of the Piolets d'Or will take place between Chamonix and Courmayeur. This is possibly the most famous mountaineering award in the world, so much so that it has been defined as the Oscar of alpinism.

Last Wednesday the ISPO Winter 2009, the largest outdoor trade show in the world, drew to a successful end for both exhibitors and visitors. In the following article we attempt to analyse the current state of new products and the "anti-crisis" trend.

The Trento Film Festival launches the 57th edition with its traditional call for entries for both films and books, presented in the MontagnaLibri section and due to take place in Trento, Italy from 21 April to 3 May 2009.

From 8 – 24 August a hike around Mont Blanc has been organised in support of the Tibetan people. The march is synchronised with the XXIII Olympic Games in Peking.

On Friday 8 August at 13.00, at the same time as the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Peking, teams worldwide will light flares to demonstrate their solidarity for the Tibetan people and to underline their support for basic human rights.

400 climbers have already pre-registered for the seventh Rock Junior European Youth Climbing Days due to take place from 7 - 8 June 2008 at the Climbing Stadium in Arco, Italy.

Entries for the Zakopane 2008 Fourth Mountain Film Competition and the Second International Mountain Photography ‘Space of Life’ are accepted until 30 June 2008

From 23 to 25 May 2008 the Garda Trentino will host the Outdoordays, the open-air trade fair for everyone to test gear and participate in outdoor activities.

With photos gracing the pages of National Geographic Adventure, Rock & Ice and Patagonia to name just three, Dan and Janine Patitucci are definielty some of the most important photographers in the outdoor industry.

The fifth Melloblocco, the world's largest bouldering meeting, takes place in Val Masino from 08 - 11 May 2008. A record breaking 1699 climbers have already signed up for the event.

With just 12 days to go before Melloblocco 2008, here's a preview of what's in store for the world's biggest bouldering meeting in Val di Mello, Val Masino, Italy from 08 - 11 May 2008.

From 22 April to 04 May 2008 the 56th International Film Festival di Trento of Mountains, Exploration and Adventure will take place in Northern Italy. The programme is richer than ever before, with films, events and conferences which will be followed step by step on the new WebTv

The world's first night bouldering meeting at Chironico, Canton Ticino, Switzerland.

Registration is now open for the Rock Junior, which will be held Saturday 07 and Sunday 08 June 2008 in Arco, Lake Garda, Italy.

On the 7th, of March Valery Babanov, Hervé Barmasse, Ettore Taufer, Giovanni Amort, Elio Sganga and Marco Farina (Alpine Training Centre), Christophe Profit and Pemba Doma Sherpa all received their Saint Vincent Awards for Mountain Professionals in front of a packed evening audience in the Casino of the Valley.

Silvo Karo reports about the 2nd International Mountain Film Festival organized in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana and the city of Domžale.