Simple steps to avoid altitude illness, new frost bite treatment and the use of oxygen and medications in the mountains are among the important topics to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the UIAA Medical Commission.

A revision of existing standards and the introduction of new ones as well as improving co-operation with manufacturers top the agenda of the UIAA Safety Commission meeting taking place in Prague from September 23-27.

The  Eco Everest Expedition 2008, led by  Dawa Steven Sherpa, has successfully field tested new technologies for environmentally friendly mountaineering.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is inviting two climbers from each country to take part in their International Winter Climbing Meet in Scotland.

The UIAA Mountaineering Commission met from September 13-14 in Bodrum, Turkey to discuss urgent issues. These included a reviewed code of ethics for mountaineers and the creation of a full overview comparing the different climbing grade scales.

A group of young people and leaders from eight countries have ascended Europe's highest mountain as part of the Global Youth Summit.

Archaeologists say they are relying on climbers and hikers to alert them to any unusual objects they may come across during their alpine walks or mountain expeditions.

A US geography professor has created an atlas of computer generated aerial views of the Himalaya, available for all on the internet. The atlas contains over 700 life-like panoramas that offers climbers a unique view of the mountains they plan to climb.