The news

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.

The story of a team of climbers who set out to discover the sun, rocks and the sea in Puglia, Southern Italy. A climbing film by Marzio Nardi.

A new rock climbing paradise in Spain, just a few hours away from both Montsant and Siurana. Margalef hosts over 500 conglomerate routes, many 5 star quality.

On 14 March Josune Bereziartu and Rikar Otegui made the first ascent of Frenesi (M6/7, 450m) on the north face of Peña Telera (2764 m).

Two routes in the Dolomites on the Gran Vernel buttress, Marmolada: Linea d'ombra 7a+ and Mastro Lindo 7a+.

On 15 February Thiago Veloso from Brazil repeated one of the hardest problems in Latin America, Wazabi V13 close to El Chalten, Patagonia.

The new guidebook published by Versante Sud: Bouldering in Valtellina Valchiavenna Val Masino Val di Mello Val Malenco by Andrea Pavan.

On 12 March Dave Macleod from Scotland made a solo ascent of Darwin Dixit 8c at Margalef Spain, while on 16 March he made the first ascent of one of Scotland's hardest winter routes, Don't Die of Ignorance XI,11 on Ben Nevis.

On 2/03 Florian and Martin Riegler made the first free ascent of "Vint ani do” (8a+ 350m), Meisules de la Bièsces (2457m - Sella, Dolomites).

Chinese authorities have closed access to Everest and nearby Cho Oyu, suspending climbing permits until 10 May.

On the 7th, of March Valery Babanov, Hervé Barmasse, Ettore Taufer, Giovanni Amort, Elio Sganga and Marco Farina (Alpine Training Centre), Christophe Profit and Pemba Doma Sherpa all received their Saint Vincent Awards for Mountain Professionals in front of a packed evening audience in the Casino of the Valley.

Nicolas Favresse invites all to reflect about the human impact of our vertical activity, and launches his appeal for sustainable climbing.