Top 10 most-read articles on Planetmountain in 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we look back at the most-read articles of the year. They represent a mix of significant ascents and descents, profound losses, and news from the "high lands." We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our readers, everyone who contributed with articles and photos, and of course, our sponsors. See you in 2026!

1. Ciao Cristian Brenna, brilliant Italian climbing star
Earlier today, Cristian Brenna lost his life on the Monte Biaina ridge. The Italian was one of the world's most talented climbers of the 1990s and early 2000s (03/06/2025).

2. Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Dolomites): online reservation obligatory to drive to Rifugio Auronzo car park
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo toll road that leads from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo and the car park reopens on Sunday 25 May 2025. As of this season, online booking is necessary in advance, via the municipality of Auronzo website (23/05/2025).

3. Simone Moro fine in Kathmandu hospital after health scare in Nepal
After feeling unwell in the village of Khare (5,045m, in Nepal), Simone Moro was was transported by helicopter to Kathmandu on Saturday 13 December, where he received initial treatment. He is now recovering well, according to a statement released by the staff of the 58-year-old mountaineer (14/12/2025).

4. After the Santner Refuge scandal, South Tyrol approves new law to prevent sale of public lands in mountainous areas
The Provincial Council of Bolzano in the South Tyrol, Italy, has unanimously approved a bill to modify the management of inalienable heritage in mountainous areas of historical, cultural, or landscape value above an altitude of 1,600 meters. The opinion of an expert committee composed of provincial offices, the AVS (Alpine Association of South Tyrol), and the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) will now be required (18/03/2025).

5. Brooke Raboutou first woman to climb 9b+ with 'Excalibur' at Arco
American rock climber Brooke Raboutou has become the first woman in the world to climb 9b+ with her redpoint of 'Excalibur' at Arco, Italy. Established by Stefano Ghisolfi in 2023 and repeated by Will Bosi in February 2025, this fierce, intense overhang stands as one of the hardest sport climbs in the world (09/04/2025).

6. Carlos Soria summits Manaslu aged 86!
86-year-old Spanish mountaineer Carlos Soria has summited Manaslu (8163m) in Nepal. In doing so he has become the oldest person to climb an 8000er (26/09/2025).

7. Sara AlQunaibet takes huge groundfall due to improper belaying / Video accident analysis
In 2024 professional athlete Sara AlQunaibet survived a 13m groundfall in a climbing gym in France. The YouTube channel Hard is Easy analyses the accident. Graphic content warning (05/03/2025).

8. La bellezza non conosce paura rebolted on Monte Robon in the Julian Alps
Massimo Sacchi and Marco Sterni have rebolted 'La bellezza non conosce paura', their small masterpiece established ground-up in 1997 on Monte Robon in the Julian Alps, Italy (05/09/2025).

9. First complete ski decent of Pizzo Intermesoli East Face (Gran Sasso, Italy)
On April 11, 2025, Roberto Parisse and Christian Tuttopetto completed the first ski descent of the east face of Pizzo Intermesoli (2,635m) in Italy's Gran Sasso massif (04/08/2025).

10. Seb Berthe repeats legendary 'Dawn Wall' on El Capitan
Belgian climber Sébastien Berthe has made the fourth free ascent of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan in Yosemite, USA. First climbed by Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson in 2015, it was repeated by Adam Ondra in 2016 and is known as the most difficult big wall climb in the world. Berthe climbed predominantly with France's Soline Kentzel in a continuous 14-day push and, unlike his predecessors, split the Loop Pitch into two pitches. More importantly, the 31-year-old dedicates his ascent to the antifascist struggle worldwide (08/02/2025).