The news

On 20/05/2008 Steve McClure freed North Star, the extension to Northern Exposure 9a+ at Kilnsey Crag, creating one of his hardest routes to date.

At the start of May Barbara Zangerl sent Pura Vida, the boulder problem located in Switzerland's Magic Wood graded Fb8a+/8b.

At the start of May Barbara Zangerl sent Pura Vida, the boulder problem located in Switzerland's Magic Wood graded Fb8a+/8b.

On 19/05/2008 Adam Ondra repeated Action Direct 9a in the Frankenjura, Germany first ascended by Wolfgang Güllich in 1991.

From 23 to 25 May 2008 the Garda Trentino will host the Outdoordays, the open-air trade fair for everyone to test gear and participate in outdoor activities.

Angela Eiter repeats Strelovod 8c at Misja Pec, Slovenia. The Belgrade stage of the Bouldering World Cup 2008 has been cancelled.

A film and an interview in memory of Bruno Detassis, the great mountaineer and man of the Brenta Dolomites.

Lionel Bonnel and Stéphane Brosse from France have set a new record on the legendary Haute Route Chamonix Zermatt ski mountaineering traverse, in just 21:11.

On 8 May 2008 Bruno Detassis died at his home in Madonna di Campiglio. Aged 97, he was one of the all time greats of mountaineering.

Nicolas Favresse has made the first repeats of "Greenspit" 8b+ and "Itaca nel sole" 8b in the Orco valley, Italy.

With photos gracing the pages of National Geographic Adventure, Rock & Ice and Patagonia to name just three, Dan and Janine Patitucci are definielty some of the most important photographers in the outdoor industry.

The fifth Melloblocco, the world's largest bouldering meeting, takes place in Val Masino from 08 - 11 May 2008. A record breaking 1699 climbers have already signed up for the event.

On 01/05/08 Markus Bock made the first ascent of Three Suns And One Star 11-/11 in the Frankenjura, Germany.

On 01/05/2008 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner from Austria and Edurne Pasabán from Spain both summited Dhaulagiri (8167m), their 11th and 10th 8000m peak respectively. Ivan Vallejo from Ecuador topped out the same day, completing his collection of all 14 8000m peaks.

David Lama and Anna Stöhr have won the second stage of the Bouldering World Cup 2008 on the Reunion Island.

Ueli Steck and Simon Anthamatten have made the first ascent of the N Face of Tengkangpoche (Teng Kang Poche) via their route Schachmatt (2000m, VI/85° ice, M7+/6 A0).