Congratulations due to Russian, Valery Babanov, for winning the annual award of French climbing magazine - "Montagne magazine" and GHM - "Golden iceaxe" for his first ascent (solo) of Meru Central last September.

As reported previously, the famous 'Shark's Fin', still awaits an ascent, but watch this space - top Brit Alpinists Jules Cartwright, Rich Cross and Matt Dickinson are heading out to the Garhwal Himalaya later this summer.