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Harald Berger from Austria has just returned from the Rätikon mountain range on the Swiss/Austrian border where he has made the first ascent of "Antihydral", an old Rochus Mathis project which now goes free at 8b.

On 20 July Ines Papert from Germany made an impressive first female ascent of Camillotto Pellesier on the North Face of Cima Grande, Dolomites. The old aid route, first ascended in 1967 by E. Mauro and M. Minuzzo, had been freed in 2004 by Mauro Bubu Bole at F8b.

First verdict from the European Championship in Yekaterinburg, Russia, with climbing's new school taking home the biggest prizes. The men's title goes to the young and super powerful Austrian David Lama, who continues to amaze all, while the women's title goes to the 16 year old Charlotte Durif.

On 29/05 Flavio Crespi and Angela Eiter won the first stage of the World Cup Lead in Puurs (BEL). 16 year old David Lama placed 2nd at his debut performance.

From 14 - 23 March Philippe Batoux and Lionel Daudet made the first ascent of “Little Big Men” (A3, 6a, M5), on the wild and grandiose East Face of the Grandes Jorasses, Mont Blanc.

On 28 March Hervé Barmasse, Matteo Bernasconi, Lorenzo Lanfranchi and Giovanni Ongaro climbed a new mixed line up the grandiose and previously untouched North Face of San Lorenzo, Patagonia.

Melloblocco third edition, one can literally feel the anticipation grow. The classic and unmissable 3rd Melloblocco, or rather, the motley coloured bouldering meet in Val di Mello, is less than 40 days away and will be held on 6-7 May 2006

Ines Papert and Harald Berger win in Norway and in doing so win the overall Ice Climbing World Cup 2006.

A strong young Belgian team comprised of Nicolas Favresse, Olivier Favresse, Seán Villanueva, Mike Lecomte and Philippe Ceulemans has made a rare repeat of Riders on the Storm, situated in the Torres del Paine and undoubtedly one of the crown jewels in Patagonia's repertoire of classic climbs.

On 10/02 in Grenoble the golden ice axe, the mountaineering oscar 2005, was awarded to Steve House and Vincent Anderson for their new route up the Rupal Face on Nanga Parbat.

At the start of January two Swiss climbers, 19-year old Gabriel Grünenwald and 23-year old Simon Oswald, made the first and second full repeat of The Flying Circus, Robert Jasper’s multi-pitch M10 at the Breitwangfluh, Kandersteg

Ines Papert from Germany and Markus Bendler from Austria have won the third stage of the Ice Climbing World Cup 2006, held in Saas Fee, Switzerland, last weekend. Jenny Lavarda and Petra Muller, Simon Wandler and Jack Müller placed second and third.

On 24 January Albert Leichtfried made the first ascent of "Illuminati", a 5 pitch mixed outing located in Val Lunga, close to Selva Gardena (South Tyrol) N. Italy . The 30 year old Austrian has put forward the impressive grade M11+/WI 6+.

On 28/01 at Spicak (Czech Republic) the second stage of the UIIA Ice Climbing World Cup was won by Simon Wandeler and Ines Papertahead of Markus Bendler (2), Harald Berger (3) and Ksenia Sdobnikova (2), Anna Torretta (3).

At Hueco Tanks Fred Nicole makes the first ascent of "Terremer" and Dave Graham repeats "Esperanza". At Fontainebleau Michele Caminati repeats "Khéops" 8B, while at Cresciano Martin Moser repeats "The Dagger" 8B+

The six candidates for the prestigious Piolet d'or, promoted by the French Montagnes Magazine and awarded in Grenoble, France on 10 February.