The news

Josune Bereciartu climbs Bain de Sang, Switzerland and becomes first woman to climb 9a

The 52 year old Erri De Luca climbs "Viaggio = infinito", 8b+ at the Grotta dell'Arenauta at Sperlonga

On 25/10 Denis Urubko, together with Maxut Zhumauev, Vassily Pivtsov and Alexey Raspopov summit Shisha Pangma (8013 m).

Alessandro Jolly Lamberti repeats "Die hard" 8c at Ferentillo and "La cronique de la haine" 8c at Ceuse. At Grotti he makes the first ascent of "Zandalee" 8b+/8c

On 15 October Mauro Calibani makes the first ascent of Is not always Pasqua E9 7a at at Collina di Interprete, Mount Sibillines National Park, Central Italy.

Deep in Spain's Sierra de Guara lies one of Europe's most famous climbing areas: the crag Rodellar. This limestone eldorado, which takes its name from the tiny village nestled snug at the end of the road in the picturesque Mascun valley, is quite simply breathtaking.

Meschia, one of best bouldering areas in Italy, is closed to the public. This drastic measure was taken recently by the landowner as a direct result of climbers' complete disregard for the forest.

Nick Fowler onsight solos Yosemite's Tangerine Trip A2 5.8, in just under 15 hours 53 minutes

The mountaineers Thomas Huber and Doug Scott will hold two slideshows at Arco, Italy on Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November

Two informal bouldering meets, one at Mottarone, the other at A Ca' Da Pria are scheduled for this weekend.

Lisa Benetti and Luca Zardini win Italian Cup 2002 after the final stage in Pistoia, won by Benetti and Lagni.

The final stage of the Bouldering World Cup 2002, scheduled to take place in Nowy Sacz-Krakow, Poland, has been canceled. Christian Core and Natalia Perlova, leaders of the provisional ranking based on the three stages held in Italy, are therefore winners of the overall World Cup 2002.

Josune Bereciartu continues to climb some of the hardest routes around. Her latest ascents include "Ocho Anos De Sexo" 8b+/8c at Subijana, Spain and "Spécialistes Direct" 8c in the Verdon, France.

The Italians Valerio Folco and Massimo Farina climb B.A.T.(A3) in Valle Orco

Alexandre Chabot and Emilie Pouget won the sixth stage of the World Cup Difficulty 2002, held in Aprica, Italy, last weekend.

Christian Bindhammer sends two of Italy’s hardest, the classic Underground 9a and Alberto Gnerro's brand new Ground Zero 9a.