The news

A small Italian Ragni expedition has just returned from a successful 40-day trip to Chile, where it made the most of fantastic weather conditions to climb series of routes in the Azufre and Cochamó valley.

On Sunday 13 May Mirco Mezzanotte and Carlo Battel won the 15th ski mountaineering competition Sci Alpinistica Lagorai Cima d’Asta.

On February 19 Dave MacLeod made a winter ascent of "The Hurting" Scottish XI 11, believing this to be the hardest single pitch traditional mixed climb in the world.

In mid January a small Slovenian expedition comprised of Silvo Karo, Andrej Grmovsek, Tanja Grmovsek and Monika Kambic Mali made a series of fast ascents in Patagonia, including the first all-female ascent of Cerro Torre and the "Slovenian start for Cerro Torre"

The eigth edition of the Festiglass du Quebec took place in Canada from 18-20 February 2005. The individual competition was won by Evgeny Kryvosheytsev.

Interview with the Russian expedition leader who received the Piolet d'Or 2004 for the first direct ascent of the North face of Jannu.

Interview with the American mountaineer who received the nomination for the Piolet d'Or 2004 for his solo ascent of K7. This climb recieved the People's Choice Award as the most important ascent of the year.

On 24 February Massimo Farina died while ice climbing in Val di Rhemes (Italy).

The prestigious Piolet d'Or 2004 promoted by Montagne Magazine was won by the Russian team for its ascent of Jannu. Steve House won the spectators award for his solitary ascent of K7.

On Saturday 12 February the two moutain Guides Nicola Tondini and Adam Holzknecht made the first repeat and consequently also the first winter ascent of "Loss lei, heb schun" on the massively exposed Sass dla Crusc, Dolomites.

The jury, headed by Krzysztof Wielicki, and the six candidates for the Piolet d'Or 2004 promoted by Montagnes Magazine

The Slovenian ice climbing championship took place in the Mojstrana gorge on 5/6 February, and was won by Evgeny Kryvosheytsev and Silvia Cian.

The World and European Championship Ice Boulder took place in Valle di Daone last weekend and was won by Harald Berger and Ines Papert.

Saas Fee 21-22 January 2004. The Austrian Harald Berger and Petra Muller from Switzerland won the World Championship Ice Difficulty, while the Speed event was won by Evgeny Kryvosheytsev from the Ukraine and Natalia Koulikova from Russia

A fortnight ago Mauro Bubu Bole revisited Kurt Astner's cave in Valle di Landro and climbed Mister Big Ben M12

Mauro Bubu Bole and Claudia Colussi have won the 3rd stage of the Alpin Cup, held in Riva di Tures last weekend.