Three climbers died and two others went missing while descending the summit of Mount Everest – a toll that raised concerns about overcrowding in the "death zone" at the top of the world's tallest peak.

At least three climbers have died while descending from the summit of Mount Everest.

A 73-year-old Japanese woman climbed to Mount Everest's peak today, smashing her own record to again become the oldest woman to scale the world's highest mountain.

From hiking up volcanoes to biking round Europe, charity challenges have wide-reaching benefits

Number of Britons participating in major sports has declined dramatically since 2009

Filming on a cliff that towers up to a vertical kilometre in height obviously comes with a set of terrifying logistical problems. I'm a rock-climbing film-maker and my latest film, The Prophet, follows Britain's best big-wall climber, Leo Houlding, as he makes the first ascent of one of the hardest climbs on the world's most celebrated cliff: El Capitan in Yosemite, California.

Ben Mondy takes on Europe's only artificial ice climbing tower, in Champagny-le-Haut

Walking in the Peak District on a clear sunny day, stopping to admire the view across the Hope Valley and breathing in the crisp Derbyshire air might not seem like your average journey into work. But, for James Thacker it's a daily reality and one that he thanks his lucky stars for.

The Villain: the life of Don Whillans Jim Perrin Hutchinson, pounds 18.99/pounds 17.99 (free p&p) from 0870 079 8897

"IF THE mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed will go to the mountain," the old proverb goes. Well, there's no need to bother now: if it's a bit of mountaineering you fancy, you'll soon need to go no further than the local gym. The Rock is described as a "virtual mountain" and works like a vertical treadmill which can be adjusted in terms of speed and gradient to make a more challenging climb (no panoramic view at the summit though!). Already installed in the Hogarth gym in London, there's also one at Kids Kingdom in Southend, and other Rocks will be touring on promotional roadshows this summer. Great news. Unless you're an abseiler of course. IK

The Castle Climbing Centre

PETER LIVESEY drove British rock climbing to new standards during the Seventies.

It's not rock climbing and you don't need a motorbike, but you must know your ropes before you set out.

The Castle Climbing Centre is pretty hard to miss. Walking through Manor House in north London, its towering spires stick out like a sore thumb amidst dozens of high-rise flats as it stands like a backdrop to a Hammer horror film.