📰 The top mountaineering and mountain news of the week
In the Weekly Bulletin we include a section in which we select the weekly news and different news. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive it every week. 🙂
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
📰 The most important mountaineering and mountain news of the last week. 👇 pic.twitter.com/UB9x6n5Leb
- Travesia (@SendaPirenaica) March 19, 2025
- Gran Sasso d'Italia, 67 kilometres, 7,200 metres of positive vertical drop in self-sufficiency, crossing ridges and walls, with crampons and skis; Hervé Barmasse completes in two days the first solo and first complete traverse of all the main summits of the Gran Sasso massif in winter.
"In reality, it all began two years earlier, when, climbing the south-southeast spur of the Gran Sasso alone, my eyes and my heart were filled with beauty. It was at that moment that the desire was born to set myself a sporting challenge that would allow me to embrace these mountains".-Hervé Barmasse
- Pako Crestas, Jabi Txikon and Ander Astondoa aim for what could be the last virgin summit in the Andes: the Don Diego EHC volcano (6,037 m). (Desnivel). After exploring by 4×4 up to 4,700 metres, they ascended a complex volcanic labyrinth full of penitentes and vertiginous slopes to crown this secondary peak of the Condor volcano. They named the peak after a local vineyard cultivated by Jabi and the roots of the three of them.
- "Balandrau" relives the dramatic avalanche that took seven friends in the Pyrenees in December 2000. (Cadena Ser). Filmed between fake snow in the studio and shooting below zero, director Fernando Trullols wants us not to forget those who were left on the mountain. In tears, actors and family members join forces to tell the story of a tragedy that still moves us.
- Eight Sherpas, the "Icefall Doctors", risk their lives each season at the Khumbu Icefall, the dangerous entrance to Everest. (Barrabes). With temperatures getting higher and higher and constant landslides, they spend days between crevasses and giant blocks to secure the way for other climbers. A heroic job where no one wants to stay longer than necessary.
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
📰 The most important mountaineering and mountain news of the last week. 👇 pic.twitter.com/gnccfzKVYT
- Travesia (@SendaPirenaica) March 12, 2025
- Aymar Navarro fulfilled an old dream by descending the Tuc des Hemnes (2,361 m) on skis. (Desnivel)after years of waiting for optimal conditions.
Alone on the mountain, he examined stretches of very hard snow and a breathless slope, even climbing with a rope at the sharp summit. Touching the base, he "trembled" with adrenaline and relief, knowing he had completed one of his most demanding descents.
- Carlos Soria, recently crowned on Aconcagua at 86 years of age, visited David Broncano on "La Revuelta" and joked: "You like the mountain a lot, but you don't climb anywhere".. He recalled his biggest scare on Dhaulagiri, where a fall fractured his tibia and fibula at 7,400m. He is preparing to return to Manaslu, 50 years after his first time on that mountain. Here you have LINK to the programme.
With 86 @CarlosSoriaChallenge has just climbed Aconcagua (6,961 metres).
- La Revuelta (@LaRevuelta_TVE) March 10, 2025
And now he wants to climb Manaslu in Nepal (8,163 metres) again. He climbed it 50 years ago. That's something. It is unbelievable. #TheTurnaround pic.twitter.com/ujDlPpXxTW
- Kilian Jornet wins the Spanish Geographical Society's Journey of the Year Award 2024 (Oxygen Magazine) for their adventure "Alpine connectionclimbing 82 summits over 4,000 metres in 19 days.. Erling Kagge, the first man to complete the 3 Pole Challenge, Xavier Pastor, Erika Pastrana, Mª del Carmen Martín Rubio, Antonio López, the Iberian lynx recovery project and Michael López-Alegría also received awards. These awards celebrate exploration, passion for the mountains and geographical research, in a 2025 edition that pays tribute to perseverance and innovation.
- Via Barrabés we get this documentary; Skiers Lisen Strøm and Thea Kopala Røhme went deep into the Norwegian Arctic for a self-sufficient mountain crossing.crossing remote fjords and technical descents with 30-kilogram backpacks. Less crowded than other parts of Norway, Loppa offers wild and sparsely populated terrain, accessible only by boat.
Wednesday, 05 March 2025
- Four decades after the fateful accident in the Tupungato, Guillermo Vieiro's daughters have recovered his backpack, sealed in the ice, after a journey of 11 days and 100 km. (ABC). The find, which includes a jacket, sleeping bag, water bottle and rolls of Super 8 film, pays tribute to the "Maradona of mountaineering". "We were climbing to around 6,100 metres when we spotted something on the glacier. You could see a backpack, a pickaxe, ropes...". He relives a precious Andean legacy, and heals family wounds.
- Eating toothpaste for five days to survive on a trail in China (Huffingtonpost). Sun Liang, 18, was lost for 10 days on the dangerous Ao-Tai Pass in the Qinling Range after running out of devices and suffering a broken arm from multiple falls. Without food and drink, he subsisted on river water, melted snow and even toothpaste in an area where 50 climbers have disappeared in the past two decades. The smell of smoke from a fire alerted more than 30 rescuers, saving him.
- Opening on the west face of the Drus by members of the French GMHM; "Petit Pont" on the Petit Dru, a 1,000 m high winter route (ED/M5, 6a, A3) after seven days of climbing, in late 2024 and early 2025, in very extreme conditions. (Desnivel). Philippe Bruley, Baptiste Obino and Amaury Fouillade combined alpine style and artificial aid to create an alternative to the BASE route.
- Drone pilot Joshua Turner lifts us to new heights . "Ascending one of the most iconic peaks, the GoPro award winner flew his drone over the Matterhorn's epic Hornli Ridge."capturing breathtaking views of one of the world's most famous mountains.
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
- Montaña Segura presents a viewer that integrates all the ATES maps of the Aragonese Pyrenees, showing in colour the avalanche exposure on mountaineering, skiing and snowshoeing routes.. As a result of the collaboration between EGTC, Alurte and the Government of Aragon, the tool combines fixed terrain information with the Avalanche Bulletin to plan safe routes.
- Benjamin Védrines climbed solo winter "BASE" (1,000 m, M8+, 7a) on the west face of the Dru. (Desnivel)We spent five days of extreme difficulties. Cold, bad weather and four bivouacs on the wall, until reaching the summit on the fifth day. An experience that reaffirms his passion for winter mountaineering.
- Martín Erroz, a geologist from Mendoza and veteran of Aconcagua, attempted to link the Pacific and the summit in a self-sufficient project that combined cycling and trekking. (Summits). Starting from Ventana beach, he cycled 200 km to Horcones and began the ascent, although a cramp at 5,500 m slowed him down: "The project was to reach the summit, return, get back on the bike at Horcones and return to the sea. In the same way that I have done other projects, it is always to leave from one point, make the summit and return non stop (...) For me, nothing I do is a failure", he explains.
- At 86 years of age, Carlos Soria conquers the 6,962 m of Aconcagua, barely a month after an operation, proving that the passion for the mountains knows no limits. The video, recorded by Luis Miguel López-Soriano, tells the story of an ascent full of emotion from Plaza de Mulas to the summit, with a stop at Camp III. With his sights set on Manaslu next spring, the veteran seeks to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Spanish ascent of this eight-thousander.
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
- In "The Revolt", Kilian Jornet opens up about his hallucinations on Everest, after 40 hours without rest and in extreme fatigue. (La Vanguardia). During an expedition in 2017, he confesses to having seen a man following him, a vision that confused him to the point of considering jumping to wake up. "A guy was following me, I was responsible for him, but at the same time I knew it was a hallucination".
- At 86 years of age, Carlos Soria leaves early Wednesday morning from Aconcagua's CIII to climb 1,000 metres to the summit. (Desnivel)as he prepares for his next challenge on Manaslu. With humour, he admits the difficulties of age and his prosthesis, but revels in the spectacular Andean views. His passion for the mountain is reaffirmed with each ascent.
- Painting the Mountains merges photography, journalism and extreme skiing in the legendary Fitz Roy, where Matthew captures the magic of the big wall skiing of a French team in Patagonia. Discover how the passion for the mountains is intertwined with local culture and unpredictable landscapes.
- So that's it... 😢. Maladeta Glacier 1857 | 2023 (Melaine Le Roy)
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
- After breaking the record on Aconcagua-completing the route from Plaza de Mulas to the south summit in 8 hours and 49 minutes-Karl Egloff is preparing to ascend and descend Everest without bottled oxygen in less than 24 hours. (Summits) . His intensive training includes daily ascents on various routes (South, Polish Glacier and others), accumulating experience and breaking barriers in the speed of mountaineering. Accompanied by his friend Nicolas Miranda, who will use oxygen to ensure safety, Egloff aims to inscribe his name in the history of extreme mountaineering in the Himalayas.
- "Carlos Soria, ready for the assault on Aconcagua" (Brand). At 86 years of age, Carlos Soria climbed from Plaza de Mulas base camp (4,300 m) to Plaza Canadá (5,050 m) after overcoming storms and taking advantage of clear mornings. Accompanied by Luis Miguel López Soriano, he is preparing to tackle Aconcagua's 6,962m in the next few days. This ascent is the prelude to his project "Operation Manaslu, 50 years later".
- They are everywhere... Microplastics found on the bottom and surface of the Estanés lake (Alto Aragón). Researchers from the IPE and the Marine Science Centre have detected microplastics in the Estanés lake, present both on the surface and at the bottom, which confirms the arrival of this pollution in high mountain areas. Polyethylene and polypropylene pellets, demonstrating that these lakes act as sinks for plastic waste.
- UIAA launches new statement outlining nine key standards for hikers, climbers and mountaineers (Desnivel)The document is based on ethics, a balance between risk and success, and respect for nature. The document is updated since the 2002 Tyrol Declaration, adapting to current challenges such as climate change, the rise of sport climbing and the influence of technology. Aims: to unite the global mountain community and keep the essence of mountaineering alive. Here you can download the document.
Wednesday, 05 February 2025
- Nepal adds six "eight-thousanders" - Yalung Kang, Yalung Kang West, Kangchenjunga South, Kangchenjunga Central, Lhotse Middle and Lhotse Shar - to its official list, in a process that awaits UIAA approval. (Desnivel). These peaks, located in the Kangchenjunga and Lhotse massifs, meet geographical criteria but do not reach the 300 m prominence, which has sparked debate among experts. Despite this, they represent new challenges for Himalayanism, offering unexplored routes and potential first ascents in little-travelled territory.
- Bernat Clarella Biarge takes over the presidency of FEDME (Sport). With extensive experience in rescue, technical management and in the mountain sports industry, he is committed to a more transparent, inclusive and sustainable FEDME. His commitment is to strengthen dialogue with clubs and regional federations, consolidating the role of national and international mountaineering.
- Ski mountaineering legend William Bon Mardion boycotted the Andorra event by refusing to compete and marking an X in protest. (Barrabes). The Frenchman, who has been in the discipline for 20 years, criticises the fact that the events are held on slopes, moving away from the true essence of mountaineering. For him, the change driven by the lack of snow and Olympic ambition sacrifices the historical values of ski mountaineering.
- Ryan Mitchell, youtuber and amateur mountaineer, admits that climbing Everest was a mistake due to his lack of experience. (As). After reaching the summit with barely a year of training, he recognises the "Dunning-Kruger effect" and the difference between a guided ascent and true mountaineering. He now intends to improve his technical skills before taking up major mountain challenges.
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
- Tasio Martín and Ibon Mendia open 'Dardara', a 500m route of 7b+ difficulty in Aguja Mermoz, Patagonia. (Desnivel). The route, almost completely free except for a frozen crack, connects to 'Pilar Rojo' 100 m from the summit. They overcame strong winds and extreme weather conditions. "It was a 18-hour climb from tent to tent, making the climb we had imagined the previous days a reality," said Tasio Martín.
- Nepal has reformed Everest climbing, banning solo climbs and making it mandatory to hire guides, with permits now costing between 40,000 and 250,000 USD. (20minutos). It also requires climbers to collect their excrement in biodegradable bags and limits the equipment allowed, while implementing campaigns to clean up the mountain and rescue dead bodies. These measures aim to control mass mountaineering and protect the environment after 1,294 summits and 29 deaths between 2022 and 2024.
- "Almost two rescues and three people helped every day of the year". (ABC). In 2024, Aragon registered a record with more than 600 mountain rescues and 25 fatalities, an increase of 8 victims over the previous year. The Pyrenees led the interventions, with 301 T3T of accidents due to falls, while Huesca concentrated 585 rescues. Increase in hikers, mountaineers and tourists. It is clear that it is necessary to reinforce preparation and safety in order to enjoy the mountains without mishaps...
- And we say goodbye with this documentary: "The Peak of Evil, Papsura, is located next to the Peak of Good, Dharamsura. Nick Russell and Jerry Mark go there to climb the former and snowboard down its difficult central corridor." (Barrabes). "Papsura: Peak of Evil" follows snowboarders Nick Russell and Jerry Mark.
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
- Antonio de la Rosa completes an epic journey to the South Pole after 39 days (Turiski)He travelled 1,130 km on skis and dragged his pulka in temperatures as low as -50°C, facing photokeratitis and losing almost 15 kg. The adventurer overcame fierce winds and dense fog, stopping for 48 hours in his tent to recover from snow blindness, before continuing on to his goal. "The Geographic South Pole is the southernmost point on Earth, where all lines of longitude converge".
- Simone Moro, Nima Rinji Sherpa and Oswald Rodrigo Pereira's winter expedition to Manaslu is cancelled due to forecasts of winds of up to 150 km/h, making the alpine-style ascent impossible. (Desnivel). After weeks in the mountains and despite multiple previous attempts, the team decided to return home as two weeks in BC would mean losing acclimatisation. They will rethink a future attempt. With decades of combined experience and a strong spirit of camaraderie, the trio leaves the door open to try again when conditions are more favourable.
- The debate continues: Lukas Furtenbach defends the use of xenon gas to speed up Everest acclimatisation, sparking a debate in the alpine world on safety, ethics and doping. (Explorersweb). While critics question the risks and sporting integrity, Furtenbach highlights his 20 accident-free years and the technological evolution that improves safety. His stance challenges conventions, asking whether innovating with science and new methods can redefine mountaineering without losing the spirit of adventure. We doubt it...
- The most pessimistic models warn that ski resorts in the Pyrenees could face seasons without a single day of snow, drastically shortening the season. (Xataka). AEMET has recorded significant thermal anomalies - November at 1.1ºC and December at 0.7ºC - which reduce the duration and quality of snow in the area. The decrease in snowfall not only affects skiing and the local economy, but also water security and sectors such as livestock farming that depend on controlled thaws.
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
- At the age of 85 and after surviving an accident on Dhaulagiri, Carlos Soria is preparing to climb Manaslu on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first Spanish expedition. (Rtve). Hours of pain, complex operations and a rescue in extreme conditions do not discourage him from planning his next ascent; "We need sponsorship, but I'm going," he says. With scars of survival and training in altitude and hyperbaric chambers, Soria proves that age does not stop his passion for conquering the Himalayas.
- This is the state of the playground: British group plans to climb Everest in less than seven days using xenon gas to speed up acclimatisation (Desnivel). After weeks in hypoxia chambers and a half-hour treatment in Kathmandu, they will be flown by helicopter to base camp and set off in just three days for the summit with Sherpa and oxygen support. At a cost of approximately €150,000 per client, it is the final twist that Everest has been missing.
- Jost Kobusch, after surpassing the historic 7,500m mark on the Lho La/Hornbein winter route, decides to abort his epic solo trek to Everest. (Barrabes).
An earthquake and increasing risks - between landslides and the impossibility of a safe rescue due to protests in Kathmandu - have forced him to withdraw his tent and return.
- La Gistería has published a study analysing the rescues published in the media. More than 1,200 mountain rescues in 2024, 9% with tragic endings. Analysis of 1,293 mountain rescues collected during 2024 highlights the safety challenges of outdoor activities in Spain. Regions such as the Pyrenees (Monte Perdido, Benasque) and Tenerife (Teide, Roque Nublo) are consolidated as areas with the highest concentration of rescues, often related to hiking and mountaineering. In this interactive map you can see them geo-referenced.
Wednesday, 08 January 2025
- Jost Kobusch, on his solo ascent without sherpas or oxygen, felt a 7.1 earthquake while at Everest Camp 1 at 5,700m. (20minutos). The earthquake, with its epicentre near the Khumbu Glacier and which has left more than a hundred victims in Nepal and Tibet, forced him to descend to avoid greater risks. This event highlights the raw intimacy and unpredictability of sharing the mountain with the untamed force of nature.
"Avalanches rushed by with chunks of ice and rocks everywhere. A pressure wave from the explosion of a collapsing serac hit the tent, so I leaned against it." -Jost Kobusch
- This news is sad... Gerard Olivé, passionate climber, found his latest challenge on the Salenques ridge of the Aneto.where a fatal fall sealed his fate. We have repeatedly shared his bivouacs and adventures, as great a source of inspiration they have been. His tragic death highlights the fine line between "the unbridled passion that leads to the pursuit of the sublime and the fatal risk that can truncate life". (Summits).
- And we say goodbye with this video by Jordi Tosaswhere he shows us that climbing mountains is not just a physical challenge, but an inner journey that connects us intimately with nature. With sensitivity he shows us the interdependence between humans and the ecosystem, reminding us to respect and thank the earth that welcomes us. His story invites us to to rediscover the essence of the mountain and to feel part of it.beyond achievements and summits.
Don't miss any adventure in the Pyrenees!
