The news

In mid December the British climbers Nick Bullock and Neil Brodie established 'Who needs sex, we get hotaches' WI6 100m at Mont Saxonnex, France.

In September 2008 Martin and Florian Riegler made the first ascent of "Pandora" (8 pitches, max 8b) on the Mandrea wall at Arco, Italy. In October the two South Tyroleans redpointed all pitches individually, but the route still awaits its first free ascent.

Fonzaso, the beautiful small crag at the foot of the Dolomites, with 40 routes up to 8c+ ideal for winter climbing

Albert Leichtfried, one of the best ice climbers of his generation, examines the state of drytooling in Austria and reports about his new route 'Encore' M13 at the Dryland above Innsbruck

Mark Glaister, author of the recently published El Chorro guidebook, reveals why the area in general, and Las Encantadas in particular, is sport climbing heaven in Andalusia, southern Spain.

At the start of the week Dave Macleod made the first ascent of Yo Bro VIII, 9 at Mullach nan Coirean, Mamores, Scotland.

Ermanno Salvaterra discusses the state of Patagonian mountaineering, starting with the large number of ascents on the West Face of Cerro Torre to talk about other class routes on the Torre and her sisters.

Chris Shama has made the first ascent of Golpe De Estado at Siurana, Spain.

A selection of icefalls in the Valnontey valley, Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy.

Review of Alastair Lee's award winning film On sight.

Melissa Andrezjewski and Chris McNamara BASE jump off Kiguti, Sam Ford Fjord, Baffin Island.

At Santa Linya, Spain, Ramon Julian Puigblanque makes the first ascent of Open your mind Directa and climbs La Fabelita 9a and La novena Enmienda 9a in a day

A selection of icefalls in the Valeille valley, Gran Paradiso National Park, Valle d'Aosta, Italy.

Perfect winter conditions in Great Britain have resulted in a series of first ascents on Ben Nevis in Scotland and in the Lake District in England.

On 2 December the Italians Matteo Bernasconi and Fabio Salini carried out a fast ascent of the Via dei Ragni on the West Face of Cerro Torre, Patagonia. This route was also climbed the previous day by Rolando Garibotti and Co.

Rock climbing on Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, or Cloggy, one of the best mountain crags in Britain.