Unknown peaks in Tibet documented by Japanese expedition

A Japanese expedition lead by mountaineer Tamotsu Nakamura has photographed and documented little-known peaks and ranges in the Deep Gorge Country of South East Tibet and Sichuan, China. Between October 23 and November 30, 2008, the expedition travelled 4,000 kilometres. Leader Nakamura was joined by mountaineers,...

Disciplinary action pursued in Patrouille des Glaciers doping case

The UIAA is pursuing disciplinary proceedings against French Ski Mountaineering athlete Patrick Blanc, who tested positive after the 2008 Patrouille des Glaciers, the long distance teams’ world championship. The UIAA Disciplinary Commission started its work on October 6. It is chaired by the British legal expert...

Mountaineers test new eco friendly gear

The Eco Everest Expedition 2008, led by Dawa Steven Sherpa, has successfully field tested new equipment for environmentally friendly mountaineering. The expedition members and Sherpas tried out systems for disposal of human waste and rubbish, purifying water and using renewable energy for cooking and light. "From...

UIAA sends condolences to K2 victims families

he UIAA deeply regrets the death of eleven climbers on K2. The massive loss of lives was caused by a large wall of ice dislodging from the mountain, taking with it many of the fixed ropes which the climbers were using for the descent. "The recent K2...

Everest weather station goes online

A new meteorological station now in place on Mount Everest is providing hourly updates online from its position 8,000 metres above sea level. The station will supply valuable information to climbers and scientists researching climate change. The world’s highest automatic weather station, installed in May on...

Russia reports success for extreme sports event on Mount Elbrus

The event, which included a high-speed run to the top of Europe's highest peak, the 5,642m Mount Elbrus, a snowshoe race and ski-mountaineering competitions (vertical race and rally), took place from May 15-18. Red Fox Asia team members Andrey Puchinin (Kazakhstan), Sergey Seliverstov (Kyrgyzstan) and Semen...

Press release: Mount Everest

UIAA regrets Mount Everest access decision by China Statement by Mike Mortimer, President of UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) The UIAA regrets the recent decision by the government of China to close the north side of Mount Everest to mountaineering expeditions for several weeks during May...

Access situation on Everest

The expeditions planning to ascent Everest this spring are facing problems. Permits are currently not being issued either by Chinese or Nepali authorities. The UIAA Expedition Commission is using their contacts in Tibet and Nepal to stay updated and we will pass on any information we...

Ski mountaineering World championship a success

The UIAA congratulates UIAA Ski-Mountaineering and the Swiss Alpine Club on the great success of the 4th Ski-Mountaineering World Championship, organised in Portes du Soleil in Switzerland. Working under difficult meteorological circumstances, a dedicated group of volunteers from the Swiss Alpine Club ran a series...