The news

The Grande Course has just begun, the first international ski mountaineering cup comparable to a tennis Grand Slam. Action kicked off on 17 March on the slopes of France's Arêches-Beaufort, which hosted the Grenoble winter Olympics, with the classic French ski mountaineering competition Pierra Menta which dates back to 1985.

On 14/03/2011 British alpinists Nick Bullock, Pete Benson and Guy Robertson established Godzilla IX/8 on Beinn Bhàn, Scotland

Interview with Belgian climbers Nicolas Favresse and Sean Villanueva after their on-sight ascent up the East Face of Fitz Roy, Patagonia.

Dario Bonetto presents his photo journey between the light and shadow and minor details of nature in the Orsiera Rocciavré Natural Park in Piedmont, Italy, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010.

The 15-year-old Luca Marzari has climbed two classic routes at Lumignano Classica - Passo Falso and El Somaro.

On 11/03/2011 Yuri Parimbelli, Tito Arosio and Ennio Spiranelli carried out the first ascent of Piantobaldo (600m, WI 4 M7 A1) up the NW Face of the Western Presolana and dedicated their route to the late Bruno "Camos" Tassi and Roby Piantoni.

On 12/03/2011 Eva Scroccaro from Trieste, Italy, redpointed her first 8a, Giljotina a Misja Pec, Slovenia.

On 5 March 2011 Maurizio "Manolo" Zanolla freed Eroi Fragili (8c, 30m), a new route he bolted in Val Noana (Pale di San Martino, Dolomites) next to another of his creations, Stramonio.

British climber James Pearson has added The Return of the Jedi HXS 7a to Bank Quarry, Derbyshire, England.

The fourth and final stage of the Ice Climbing World Cup 2011 drew to a close in Kirov, Russia on 8 March and was won by the Russians Maxim Tomilov and Anna Gallyamova. The Russians Maria Tolokonina and Pavel Gulayev were crowned Speed World Champions, while the winners of the...

Simon Gietl and Roger Schäli ahve carried out the first winter ascent of Pressknödel (7c, 400m) on Cima Ovest, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites.

The impressive red outcrop Sengio Rosso appears in the distance like a shiny jewel, wedged into the green slopes of Monte Baldo and clearly visible from the plain below... fog and weather conditions permitting.

On 5 March 2011 the Italians Barry Bona and Simone Favero established Cugi's Corner, a new route up the NW Face of Cimon di Palantina (Col Nudo-Cavallo moutain chain, Alpago, Dolomites).

An exclusive interview with Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic after his outstanding 8c+ on-sights in Spain, including Bizi euskaraz 8c+ at Etxauri.

Raoul Martinez, Sean Villanueva, Cintia Percivati and have carried out the first free ascent of Golden Eagle (7a/7a+, 700m), established by Alexander Huber and Stephan Siegrist in 2006 on Aguja Desmochada, Patagonia.

CLIMB FOR LIFE-GIVE BONE MARROW is aimed at all climbers worldwide who wish to do something good and donate bone marrow. Italian climber Pietro Dal Prà presents the initiative.