The news

The 11th Melloblocco begins on 1 May 2014. Over 1700 climbers have pre-registered for the world's most international bouldering meeting that will take place in Valmasino - Val di Mello, Italy, until 4 May 2014.

Reports are coming in of Sherpas leaving Everest Base Camp after the tragic avalanche that killed 16 Sherpa on 18 April 2014 to honour their dead colleagues. The future of the spring 2014 climbing season is reportedly now on the brink.

On 07/04/2014 Hermann Comploj made a new extreme ski descent, alone, down the North Face of Cima Murfreid, Sella group, Dolomites.

In February 2014 Ines Papert, Rudi Hauser Thomas Senf made three first ascents in Norway: Finnmonster (A2+, WI6 400m) on Senja Island, Eagles Paradise (8/IIIV WI5 500m) up Roalden and Crazy Maze (8+/IX WI4+ 600m) up Breitinden.

After three days of searching the rescue operation on Everest has been called off today. The official death toll is 13 Sherpa dead and 3 missing. The entire spring mountaineering season is now uncertain.

A petition has now been started to stop the destruction of the Getu National Park in China.

Interview with Simone Moro after the tragic avalanche on Everest on 18 April 2014 that caused the deaths of at least 13 Sherpa.

In the early hours of this morning an avalanche swept down the flanks of Everest on the Nepalese side of the mountain. At least six Sherpa have died, while numerous other climbers are reported missing.

At Grotta di Mezzegra in Italy, 41-year-old Swiss climber Nicola Vonarburg has repeated Vamos 8c and Vamos Concita Martinez 8b+.

A short video clip taken by Hervé Barmasse on the summit of the Matterhorn during the first winter enchainment of the 4 Matterhorn ridges on Thursday 13 March 2014.

On Sunday 13 April Gabriele Moroni and Asja Gollo won the first stage of the Italian Bouldering Cup 2014 in Rome.

On 10/04/2014 Jeff Mercier and Corrado Pesce made the first free acent of the huge corner on the route established by Chris Bonington and Lito Tejada-Flores on 28 - 29 July 1965 up the West Face of Aiguille du Plan, Mont Blanc.

Interview with Slovenian alpinist Luka Lindic who, together with Luka Krajnc, made the first free ascent of Rolling Stones up the North Face of Grandes Jorasses (Mont Blanc), France

Interview with Simone Pedeferri, the man who leads the group of route setters who unearth and prepare the new problems and areas for the Melloblocco bouldering event in Val di Mello - Val Masino, Italy.

The video of Slovenian climber Rok Klancnik making the third ascent of Bügeleisen, the 8B+ boulder in Maltatal, Austria.

Interview with Argentine photographer Bernardo Gimenez who has made the mountains, rock climbing and alpinism are his favourite photo set. By Marco Ferrario.