The news

Two routes in the Dolomites on the Gran Vernel buttress, Marmolada: Linea d'ombra 7a+ and Mastro Lindo 7a+.

On 15 February Thiago Veloso from Brazil repeated one of the hardest problems in Latin America, Wazabi V13 close to El Chalten, Patagonia.

The new guidebook published by Versante Sud: Bouldering in Valtellina Valchiavenna Val Masino Val di Mello Val Malenco by Andrea Pavan.

On 12 March Dave Macleod from Scotland made a solo ascent of Darwin Dixit 8c at Margalef Spain, while on 16 March he made the first ascent of one of Scotland's hardest winter routes, Don't Die of Ignorance XI,11 on Ben Nevis.

On 2/03 Florian and Martin Riegler made the first free ascent of "Vint ani do” (8a+ 350m), Meisules de la Bièsces (2457m - Sella, Dolomites).

Chinese authorities have closed access to Everest and nearby Cho Oyu, suspending climbing permits until 10 May.

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.

Nicolas Favresse invites all to reflect about the human impact of our vertical activity, and launches his appeal for sustainable climbing.

Simone Moro has established Camp 3 on Broad Peak (8047m) together with Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali. Summit push tomorrow.

Christian Core has freed his hardest problem ever, Gioia Fb8c at the Antro dei Druidi, Potala di Varazze (Italy).

Nicola Sartori and Nicola Tondini have made the first ascents of three new multi-pitches on Monte Cimo (Brentino, Val d’Adige, Italy). These are Vola via (8 pitches, max 8a+), Gioco di equilibri (5 pitches, max 7c+) and Via di testa (6 pitches, max 8b+, 7c obb).

On 27/02/08 Paolo Munari carried out the third ascent of Drumtime at Fonazaso, Italy.

Gerhard Schaar from Austria has established over 50 new routes at the Bangalore crags Badami and Ramanagaram, India.

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

The third and final stage of the Ice climbing World Cup took place in Switzerland's Saas Fee last weekend and was won by Angelika Rainer from Italy and Simon Anthamatten from Switzerland. The overall 2008 title went to Simon Anthamatten and Jenny Lavarda.

From 17-20/02/2008 Fabio Valseschini carried out the first solo winter ascent of the British route on the ENE Face of Piz Badile, while from 21-23/02/2008 Rossano Libera made the first solo winter ascent of the Cassin route up the NE Face.