The news

While in Tibet the Olympic torch sets off for Everest, in Nepal the mountaineers are obliged not to climb above Camp 2.

The first stage of the World Cup Speed was held in Trento yesterday and was won by Evgeny Vaytsekhovsky (Rus) and Lucelia Blanco (Ven).

On 22/04/08 Andrea Polo made a rare repeat of "Sogni di Gloria" 8b+/c at Erto, Italy.

At Misja Pec (Slovenia) Barbara Raudner redpointed Mrtvaski ples 8b, while at the Hirschwänden (Austria) she sent Das Ding Fb7c+

The first stage of the Bouldering World Cup 2008 took place in Hall, Austria, last weekend and was won by Kilian Fischhuber and Anna Stöhr.

From 22 April to 04 May 2008 the 56th International Film Festival di Trento of Mountains, Exploration and Adventure will take place in Northern Italy. The programme is richer than ever before, with films, events and conferences which will be followed step by step on the new WebTv

An in-depth interview with Adam Ondra, a mere 15 years old and already one of the most accomplished and talented sports climbers in the world.

Reinhold Messner and the main French mountaineering organisations defend Tibet.

Johanna Ernst (15) has on-sighted White Winds 8a+ at the Schleierwasserfall, Austria, while Helmut Kotter from Germany carried out the first repeat of Mongo 9a.

On 9 March Erik Svab from Italy carried out the 5th ascent of Law and Order M13, at Diebsöfen, Tyrol Austria.

Ice climbing expedition in Canada: 10 first ascents in 10 days by Ines Papert and Co in the Icefall Brook Canyon, including "Into the Wild", at M12, WI 5+ one of the most technical mixed multi-pitches in the world.

The world's first night bouldering meeting at Chironico, Canton Ticino, Switzerland.

Registration is now open for the Rock Junior, which will be held Saturday 07 and Sunday 08 June 2008 in Arco, Lake Garda, Italy.

Great first ascent by Andreas Bindhammer at Arco with his new 'St. Anger' 8c+/9a at the Eremo di San Paolo.

The Americans Vince Anderson and Steve House have opened a new route up the north face of Mt. Alberta (3619m), Rockies, Canada. The due climbed alpine style for three days and graded their new line WI5+ M8 R/X.

Albert Leichtfried, Markus Bendler and photographer Hermann Erber have just returned from an ice climbing trip to Hokkaido, Japan, during which they made the first ascent of Lector WI7 at Chiyoshibetu, before climbing in Raiden, Sounkyo and Abashiri.