The news

Climbing techniques, single pitch lower-off analysis. What to do when you reach the abseil chain.

Alexandre Chabot and Martina Cufar win the second stage of the World Cup Difficulty 2002 at Yekaterinburg

Minister Lunardi announces the go-ahead of the third Gran Sasso tunnel

The good weather spell that started last week seems to be holding out enabling many mountaineers to reach the various summits including Everest and Makalu. Jean-Christophe Lafaille and Inurrategi summit Annapurna.

The Italian Mauro Bubu Bole repeats Hotel Supramonte, together with Mi Sun Go in Sardinia

All seven members of the The Kazakhstan Expedition have successfully reached the summit of Kangchenjunga, including Denis Urubko

Manaslu success for Corono, Makalu final stages for Mondinelli

At 12.00 (Nepal time) the Italians Franco Nicolini, Mirco Mezzanotte and Simone Moro reached the summit of the sixth highest mountain in the world.

In April Massimo Farina and Patrick Gabarrou opened "Ice for good" and "Fantastica", two new mixed routes on the Aiguille du Tacul, Grandes Jorasses. Together with Ezio Marlier Gabarrou then climbed "Poisson d'Avril" on the Seracco del Col des Hirondelles.

Jacques Perrin’s Le Peuple Migrateur has won the 50th International Festival of Mountains, Exploration and Adventure “Città di Trento”.

The latest news about Jean-Christophe Lafaille place him acclimatising and preparing the camps along the south face of Annapurna.

Alexandre Chabot and Muriel Sarkany win the first stage of the Climbing World Cup 2002 at Bolzano

Simone Moro and an italian expedition are preparing for Cho Oyu, before moving on to attempt Everest

A recent phone call home by Diego Fregona brings fresh news about the Italian-Polish Makalu expedition, led by Himalayan veteran Piotr Pustelnik (ten 8000m peaks).

Cristian Brenna and Stefan Alippi repeat Altman and suggest 8b/8b+

Josune Bereziartu from Spain sends the 40-move La Travesia De Balzola, 8C+/9A or FB 8B+