The news

Interview with the Russian expedition leader who received the Piolet d'Or 2004 for the first direct ascent of the North face of Jannu.

Interview with the American mountaineer who received the nomination for the Piolet d'Or 2004 for his solo ascent of K7. This climb recieved the People's Choice Award as the most important ascent of the year.

On 24 February Massimo Farina died while ice climbing in Val di Rhemes (Italy).

The prestigious Piolet d'Or 2004 promoted by Montagne Magazine was won by the Russian team for its ascent of Jannu. Steve House won the spectators award for his solitary ascent of K7.

On Saturday 12 February the two moutain Guides Nicola Tondini and Adam Holzknecht made the first repeat and consequently also the first winter ascent of "Loss lei, heb schun" on the massively exposed Sass dla Crusc, Dolomites.

The jury, headed by Krzysztof Wielicki, and the six candidates for the Piolet d'Or 2004 promoted by Montagnes Magazine

The Slovenian ice climbing championship took place in the Mojstrana gorge on 5/6 February, and was won by Evgeny Kryvosheytsev and Silvia Cian.

The World and European Championship Ice Boulder took place in Valle di Daone last weekend and was won by Harald Berger and Ines Papert.

Saas Fee 21-22 January 2004. The Austrian Harald Berger and Petra Muller from Switzerland won the World Championship Ice Difficulty, while the Speed event was won by Evgeny Kryvosheytsev from the Ukraine and Natalia Koulikova from Russia

A fortnight ago Mauro Bubu Bole revisited Kurt Astner's cave in Valle di Landro and climbed Mister Big Ben M12

Mauro Bubu Bole and Claudia Colussi have won the 3rd stage of the Alpin Cup, held in Riva di Tures last weekend.

Silvestro Stucchi introduces El Potrero Chico, a rock paradise in Mexico

Anna Torretta and Matteo Giglio al Ouray Ice Festival, Colorado, the most famous Ice Park in the U.S.A.

On 14/01/2004 Simone Moro and Piotr Morawski made the first winter ascent of Shisha Pangma (8027m), climbing without supplementary oxygen and high altitude porters.

PlanetMountain has been voted best climbing site according to Forbes, the world's premier magazine for business and financial news.

Hannes Pfeifhofler and Jenny Lavarda win the second stage of the Alpin Cup 2004/5 in Val Passiria