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Find out all the news of the projects supported, but also of the Petzl Foundation itself and events.

 

 

Encourage respectful climbs in a major site: Piedra Parada

In the heart of the Patagonian desert, in the Province of Chubut (Argentina), Piedra Parada, the "stone", rises like a monolith. Behind her, La Buitreta Canyon, 5 km long, high cliffs nearly 200 feet high, hosted the Petzl Roc Trip in November 2012.The development of a climbing area that respects the environment and the history of this exceptional site deserved to have the Petzl Foundation involved.

All the information on page "Environment"

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The environment call for projects is extended!

You have until 24 September 2012 to propose a project for the preservation of the environment,in connection with sports activities of verticality (climbing, mountaineering, etc.).

See selection criteria and download the application support here.

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The Cochamo valley, a forgotten Yosemite

 In Chilean Patagonia, not far from the legendary “Carretera Australe” (Route 7), the majestic valley of Cochamo, a favorite site for long-route climbers. Tall granite walls, like those of its famous sister, Yosemite (USA), this area remains on the fringe of the traditional tourist routes in the region.

 

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Saving the monk seals in Mauritania

The monk seal, a rare Mediterranean species, is in critical danger of extinction on a world-wide level. The CBD Habitat foundation, a Spanish association supported by the Petzl Foundation, protects the species and is monitoring the colony in Mauritania. These seals nest in the caves at the bottom of the steep cliffs of the Cap Blanc peninsular.

 

 

These caves are very difficult to access for the naturalists studying this sea mammal. Climbing equipment is essential to enable the scientists to reach the seals. They have to be lowered down into cavities to be able to identify babies and complete ringing operations. 

 

 

 

 

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Grimper dans les palmiers, un métier dangereux

Saharan agriculture is mainly based on the date palm, especially in the oasis. With more than 17 million palms of which 10 million are exploited, the date is the first food product export in Algeria. Climbers, like acrobats, grow palms and make the date harvest. It's a risky job, often exercised barefoot, with very basic equipment ... How can we prevent falls?

 

According to the Algerian Red Crescent, there has been one death per year in the area of Ghardaia, which represents only 5% of Algerian palm groves. For one death, ten falls were recorded in 2010, many with serious consequences including: disability, inability to work...

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Nepal: training future professional trek guides

The Petzl Foundation has been committed since 2006 to the training of future professional trek guides, in partnership with the Association of Nepal Mountaineering (NMA). Courses were held in early September. The Foundation assigned Eric Lescarcelle, head of Petzl customer service, as an instructor to coach them. Here is a short resume of two intense weeks.


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Call for projects environment!

 

The call for projects for the preservation of the environment ends soon!
You have until July 15, 2011 to propose a project related to mountain activities (climbing, mountaineering, etc). Click here to view the selection criteria and download the application for support.

 

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How to reduce accidents in the Gouter couloir?

The Petzl Foundation offers a contribution to improve safety in the Gouter couloir, on the normal route of Mont Blanc: a study was launched to prevent accidents in this couloir very exposed to falling rocks.

To know more, read the PisteHors.com news: http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/1018-a-tunnel-for-the-gouter-couloir/

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Join the public Conservation Vote !

 

Over the next few weeks, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts across Europe will be joining forces to vote for conservation projects worldwide.

In what is becoming an annual event, the European Outdoor Conservation Association, a partnership of outdoor businesses across Europe working together to raise money to put into grassroots conservation projects, is asking for help from the outdoor enthusiast in deciding which projects to support for the coming year.
 

In partnership with 4 national magazines - Trail in the UK, Alpin in Germany, National Geographic Germany and Lift / Bike & Trekking / Sport-Partner in the Netherlands, 19 projects will be put up for the vote. Each magazine will display totally different projects, and readers of each magazine will choose one project that will be funded by EOCA during 2011/12.

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Ice Crystal, a scientific expedition into the heart of the waterfall

How are waterfalls formed?
How does this very specific type of ice react to a climber’s progression and temperature variations?
All climbers have asked themselves these questions at one time or another before attempting a tricky waterfall climb. Only their experience can guide them. But beyond pre-conceived ideas, what is the physical or mechanical reality of these frozen structures?

AN ORIGINAL RESEARCH PROJECT
Many of the questions addressed to the glaciologist Luc Moreau, during his ENSA training sessions for novice mountain guides, are behind this project. Although glacier snow and ice have been the topic of many scientific studies in the past, until now there has not been a serious scientific publication on the issue of waterfall ice.
A world première, this approach aims to provide a better understanding of the formation and behavior of waterfall ice, specifically for climbers but also for the scientific community.

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