More info here and amzing pics from Caroline Ciavaldini and James Pearson's exploring expedition of El Nido in the Phillippines.

Route development and further potential in Angola

Serra da Leba is a sandstone quartz mountain range located in the southern part of Angola, around 50 km west of Lubango. The cliff height ranges from 200 to 600…

8c+ by Loic Timmermans (19)

loic Timmermans had a great 19th birthday by doing Fabelita 8c in Santa Linya and then four days later he did his second 8c+, Fabela. Now he is working the 9a extension. "It's going very well so hopefully I will have the time before the end of the week! In 2012, Loic was the European Youth Champion. "This year I will do ALL the world cups. Unfortunately I won't go to the WCH in Gijon as I want to participate at the World Youth CH. in Noumea. With the new dates, it's impossible to do both.

Kalymnos updates - TNF Festival 9-12 october

The spring 2014 has been the busiest ever and as an example the biggest climbing hotel, Philoxenia has been fully booked for a couple of weeks. Wild Sports have started their second shop and the new rescue service founded by Alternet, with the equipment donated by Wild Sports, is up and running. The picture from Aris Theodoropoulos shows the rescue team in action saving a couple rapelling of the wrong anchor with the rope not reaching the ground. In order to support the rescue you can by a Kalymnos card which also gives you discounts on several shops, restaurants and hotels. Climb Kalymnos reports that it is now safe again to climb in Arginonta. In November 2013, "a severe thunderstorm caused a big flake to come loose and hang precariously from a single bolt (!) 30m above the ground." Since last season, several hundreds routes have been bolted or rebolted and 200 blue recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass and metal have been placed out. The official dates for The North Face Festival is 9 - 12 october so be quick to book up the flight tickets :)

The Story of Two World's 8C by Jan Hojer

Jan hojer has signed up to the impressive list of repeaters to The Story of Two World's 8C in Cresciano. It was set up in 2005 by Dave Graham and the name referred to the previous grade inflation. The 22 year old German, who won one Boulder WC last year, has also done Big Kat 8B+ in Chironico and his scorecard shows a six years straight progress and he is now #3 in the ranking game.

8B+ by Giuliano Cameroni (16)

Giuliano Cameroni has had a good week having done six boulders 8A and harder including The Never Ending Story 8B+ in Magic Woods which is a 20 move link up. You start in the roof down in the right corner of the picture and continue up in the overhang. "I did 1st and 2nd part last summer, but after having decided to climb the full line, it took me two days. Psyched!"In total, the 16 year old has done 71 boulders 8A and harder including one 8C, The Story of Two Worlds.

Save getu from destruction

Save Getu reports some chocking news that the the famous beautiful Getu in China is about to get destroyed in order to create a big tourist attraction. Four local guys protesting have been sent to jail for ten days. A Chinese petitition page. "To construct the expanded parking lots and gates, so throngs of visitors can conveniently drive into the peaceful valley, developers and officials forcibly appropriated hundreds of acres of farm and forest land from the locals, many of the ethnic Miao descent. Local people’s protests were suppressed by police deployed by the local officials. Four most vocal leaders were jailed for 10 days. Now the damages to the lower portions of the caves done, developers have moved for the “holiest of the holiest,” the Chuanshang, or Through Upper Cave, under the Great Arch! Workers are already clearing the delicate vegetation to make site for a hotel and restaurant!