The news

From 18-19 June 2005 the European Youth Climbing Days 2005 return to the world’s climbing capital at Arco with the IV edition of the Arco Rock Junior.

On 23 May Heinz Zak from Austria made the audacious second solo ascent of one of Yosemite valley’s finest routes, Separate Reality 5.11d.

At the start of June the Italians Silvestro Stucchi and Elena Davila made a rare repeat of Zenyatta Mondatta A4 in Yosemite.

On 30 May British mountaineer Alan Hinkes reached the summit of Kangchenjunga (8586m). In doing so he became the first Briton to summit the world's fourteen 8000m peaks

On 25 May Cristian Brenna managed to make the seventh redpoint of Underground 8c+/9a at Massone (Arco, Italy).

On 09/05/2005 Josune Bereziartu made the first female ascent of Bimbaluna 9a/9a+ at Saint Loup, Switzerland, pushing the scale of female performances up one notch.

Christian Kuntner dies after being hit by an avalanche on Annapurna. Mario Panzeri, Mario Merelli, Daniele Bernasconi, Ed Viesturs from America and Veikka Gustafsson all reach the summit of Annapurna, while Romano Benet, Nives Meroi and Luca Vuerich have abandoned hopes of reaching the summit of Dhaulagiri.

The Dhaulagiri 2005 expedition comprised of Romano Benet, Nives Meroi and Luca Vuerich forced to descend due to a storm at 7000m. Ed Vierstus currently on Annapurna summit push.

On 25 April by 21 year old Richard Simpson made the 5th ascent of Hubble 8c+, Raven Tor UK, first climbed by Ben Moon in 1990. Update 12/2010: Simpson's ascent of Hubble has been contested by diverse sources.

One of the most important Italian mountain chains for spring ski mountaineering: Cima Madriccio, Cima Marmotta, Palon de la Mare, Pizzo Tresero, Punta San Matteo.

Over 800 climbers have signed up for Melloblocco 2005, the international bouldering meeting in Val di Mello from 7-8 may 2005.

Adam Ondra (12) and Martin Stranik (15) from the Czech Republic make impressive ascents in France and Italy, including Mascherina 8c (Grotta del Aeronauta, Sperlonga, 7PM JP Chaud 8c (Gorges de Loup), Chouca 8a+ onsight (Buoux)

Tomas Mrazek from the Czech Republic has redpointed Martin Krpan 9a, and onsighted Karisma 8b+ and Bastilija 8b+ at Misja Pec, Slovenia

A boulderining meeting at Cresciano and Chironico (Switzerland) will take place on 16-17 April 2005.

Europe's larget bouldering meeting is fast approachiing: on 7-8 May the second edition of the Melloblocco will take place in the splendid Val di Mello, Italy

From 17 to 21 March Patrick Gabarrou, Philippe Batoux and Christophe Dumarest made the first ascent of a new route on the North Face of Punta Margherita (4066m) at the Grandes Jorasses, Mont Blanc.