Mountaineering News

The UIAA Mountaineering Commission has approved a proposal to develop a standardized, international system of collecting and analysing accidents to better identify areas where safety and training can be improved, and help insurance companies better understand risk in mountain activities.

The Federación de Andinismo de Chile (FEACH) along with the UIAA Training Standards panel is hosting its first UIAA-approved training seminar in South America in the mountains around Santiago, Chile.

An innovative multi-year UIAA Training Standards program conducted in cooperation with the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) is in the final stages of evaluation and will provide a template for a much sought-after service from federation members.

An attempt to make the first successful winter ascent of Broad Peak (8047 metres) led by well-known Polish climber Krzysztof Wielicki and organized by the Polish Mountaineering Association (PZA) is underway.

The expedition by the UIAA federation member is part of a series of Polish winter mountaineering expeditions called Polish Winter Himalayan Mountaineering 2010 – 2015 under the patronage of Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski, president of Poland.

Claude Eckhardt, former General Secretary of the UIAA, in celebration of the organization's 80th birthday, has prepared an overview of highlights since the 1930s.

Frits Vrijlandt, the new president of the UIAA – International and Mountaineering Federation was in Moscow in November at the invitation of the Russian Mountaineering Federation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest by climbers from the former Soviet Union.

The growing interest in climbing indoors has prompted the UIAA Legal Experts Working Group (LEWG) to publish a paper highlighting liability issues faced by operators of indoor walls in North America and Europe.

Phil Wickens, secretary to the Mountaineering Commission of the UIAA has submitted an expedition report about an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard aboard the Spirit of Sydney. Members climbed and skied a total of 13 summits in the area east of Cierva Cove, Paradise Harbour and Anvers Island.

The UIAA is saddened by the tragic death of Roger Payne, former general secretary of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) who was killed in an avalanche Thursday on Mont Maudit in the Chamonix region of France along with eight other climbers.

The UIAA Management Committee, in a bid to enhance a much sought after service to member federations, has approved a set of proposals for voluntary Training Standards  to be delivered as a professional service.