http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html news from our website http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   American cracks specialist Mason Earle with Britons Pete Rhodes and George Ullrich attempted in January/February 2010  an all-free route on the east face of Cerro Catedral – Torres del Paine – Patagonia.    The trio of young climbers planned to start up La Escoba de Dios and then strike off for a corner and crack system to the left. In the end, they climbed 15 pitches (nine of them new) and did some very impressive free climbing despite severe weather conditions.   Read more on  BMC and UKC   ms http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html     On January 30, the Austrian climber Bernard Hangl carried out the first ascent of a big iced column in the Pitztal. The free-standing is located on the right side of the valley in front of the village of Weixmannstall (after St.Leonhard and before Neurur).     The icefall - that Hangl graded  WI6  -  is 30 meters long, on 15 meters pedestal. The name (Playing with fire) enlights the difficulties of the ascent, even if Hangl said it was a solid structure.   In the same day, the first repeat of the ice-fall, by a strong swiss - italian party, Floriano Martinaglia and Lallo Spennacchi who eyed the free-standing during another visit in the Pitzal   Martinaglia reported an attempt before January 30, but he was forced to discontinue, in reason of the dangers of the structure.   In Pitztal, the big valley West of Innsbruck, were  still climbable until few days ago, some nice iced lines near the village of St.Leonhard, as Havanna, Pfitschenfall  and Monsterline.   ms   Source: climbing.de  and up-climbing http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   Today in Rome Palazzo del Quirinale, the President of the Italian Republic bestowed an high honour on Nives Meroi.  The honour (Commendatore of the Republic) was given for her credits in alpinism, obtained in the highest summits of the earth.     http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   Back in Spain, Adam Ondra sent in 3 tries in Siurana A Muerte 9a, in Campi Qui Pugui sector of the crag   This's the 2th 9a after  La Rambla, in 2008.   Last minute new: Adam is working to Golpe de Estado, Sharma's 9b  at El patì,   Source: kairn e lezec.cz   Video: Cédric Lachat on A Muerte http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   Infoboulder  has a nice video of Lorenzo Malatesta from Genua, 12 years old,  during his ascent of  ”Dittatura democratica" (7B) a difficult traverse in the new sector Graal of Varazze. Last year Lorenzo climbed two other boulders of 7B.   Good results for Shawn Raboutou 11 years old and his sister Brooke 8 years, sons of Didier Rabotou (Rockmaster in Arco in1990) and Robyn Erbesfield (5 times Usa National champion and four times World champion, still very active: at 45 two years ago redpointed Bad Attitude 8b+ at St. Antonin Noble Val ).   At Hueco Tanks Shawn Raboutou flashed Mr.Serious 7B+,  repeated by his sister and then did the sit start ( 7C+).     Last year, Shawn, aged of 10, completed his first outdoor 5.13a- 7c+, and Brooke, aged 7, did her first outdoor 5.12a- 7a+-   Source: infoboulder  Prana  climbing  Photo Lorenzo Malatesta: Christian Core; Photos Shawn and Brooke Raboutou: Andy Mann   video http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   American boulderer Alex Puccio sent Tequila sunrise 8A+ (first female ascent) and Diaphanous sea 8A (or 8A+) at Hueco Tanks.   On February,2010 Puccio won Us National Championship at Sportrock Alexandria - Virginia).   Video: Alex Puccio on Trice, 8A+ in Flagstaff Mountain (Colorado). ms Source: 8a.nu  Ph: Gustavo E Moser from The lowDown http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   Italian teams have obtained the gold medal in all categories of the relay races that have taken place this Saturday in Soldeu under a radiant sun. Relay races were the last of the Canillo (Andorra) World Championship of Mountaneering ski 2010.   Italians have shown they are the best ski Mountaineering team in the World. Damiano Lenzi, Manfred Reichegger, Lorenzo Holznecht and Denis Brunod outstood the Swiss by a minute (41'48" Italy 42'49"Switzerland), in an explosive race that started with the Swiss in front, then at the the third fraction Lorenzo Holznekcht passed Yannick Ecoeur and Italy maintened the first place to the end of the competition.   France obtained third position and Spain fourth although Kilian Jornet, fourth relay, fell in the first descent. The Andorran team that aimed for a fifth o sixth position has finally obtained the eighth. In the women’s category the Italian team (Francesca Martinelli, Roberta Pedranzini and Silvia Rocca 40'48") has shown once more to be invincible, and even though Andorrans started in second position thanks to Sophie Dusautoir, finally they have had to conform with eighth position.   The podium has been completed by the Swiss and Austrian team. Mireia Miró has achieved fourth position for the Spanish team only one second ahead of France that came in fifth in a spectacular dispute with Laetita Roux.   In the youth’s category, podium was for Italy, with Alessandra Cazzanelli, Stefano Stradelli and  Robert Antonioli, silver for Switzerland and bronze for France. Italy won con 22 medals, France 13, Switzerland 12 and Spain 7.   http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   From boulder to sport climbing, 4 important female performances during the last days: Barbara Raudner from Austria sent Veper lady 8b at Misja pec;  Therese Johansen from Norway has done in  Chironico two 8A: Alphane moon and Le pillier,  in addition to Dr. Pinch and  Les doigts verts (originally graded 8A , she suggested7C+ e  7C.    Conny Matthes from Germany has done in 4 tries  Le vent nous portera, 8A at Chironico and  Charlotte Durif from France has done 8b onsight Un air d'abus.   Source: 8a.nu and TheLow Down http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   After 12 days on the wall of Monte Roraima, Márcio Bruno, Fernando Leal and Eliseu Frechou achieved the first ascent of a new route on Monte Roraima by the Guiana’s side. The route is called Guerra de Luz e Trevas (war between light and darkness), and the degree is suggested VI 5.11a A3 J4 / 650m. Read more on Rockclimbing ms http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html   Last monday in Canillò (Andorra) was performed the World Campionship race of Vertical Kilometer. Spanish  athlete Kilian Jornet won on unbelievable time of 39' 50"; first time under 40 minutes. Very well the Italian Dennis Brunod (+7") and the French Florent Perrier (+14")   Roberta Pedranzini won the female race, second place for the French Laetitia Rou, third for the other Italian Francesca Martinelli. ms http://www.up-climbing.com/en/index.html