Top-mountaineers
Adam Ondra
Born on 02/05/1993
Born in Brno/Brunn
Nation: Czech Republic
Profession: Student
Adam has truly revolutionised climbing. After his redefinition of the sport, nothing seems impossible any longer - and topping it all has become all the more conceivable. Four 8c+ routes climbed on-sight within only a few days (two of which with only an hour's break in between) are proof enough that he is simply exceptional. At the age of only 13, the Czech genius was already among the world's top climbers. Together with his parents, who are both climbers themselves, he has travelled the world's mountains ever since he can remember. And there's simply no stopping him.
Alexander Huber
Born on 12/30/1968
Born in Trostberg (Bavaria)
Nation: Germany
Profession: Professional mountaineer and climber, mountain and ski guide, physicist
Alexander Huber, Thomas Huber's younger brother, is one of the world's most popular and successful mountaineers and climbers. His free solo climbs have made him world-famous even in the non-climbing world. The physics graduate is the more pragmatic and outstandingly patient one of the two brothers. A rational and plan-driven analyst, he pursues his goals with an individual perseverance that is yet unmatched. Alexander sees mountaineering in each and every one of its forms and in all corners of the world as a defining passion.
Beat Kammerlander
Born on 01/14/1959
Born in Nüziders/Vorarlberg
Nation: Austria
Profession: Climber
The Austrian Beat Kammerlander has been among Europe's best all-round climbers for decades. He is the only Alpinist climber who has matered routes with a difficulty level of up to 10 and is a true master in all climbing disciplines. Beat Kammerlander has also impressively moved the boundaries of what's possible in ice climbing.
Chris Sharma
Born on 04/23/1981
Born in Santa Cruz
Nation: USA
Profession: Climber
The "Californian sunny boy" started climbing at the age of twelve and no one has been able to stop him since. None other reflects climbing as a life style as Chris Sharma does. Bouldering is another of his master disciplines. The 30-year-old currently lives in Catalonia (Spain) with his climber girlfriend Daila Ojeda and works with his freinds, among which Dani Andrada, on finding new routes that pus the boundaries of what can be done.
Dean Potter
Born on 01/18/1972
Born in New Hampshire
Nation: USA
Profession: Mountaineering, highliner, slackliner
Distinguished by his solos on ice and rock, this climber challenges unbelievalble heights not only on his slackline and without any protection. He also jumps off imposing rock walls and opens his parachute at the last possible moment. Dean Potter - the Aerialist.
Ines Papert
Born on 04/15/1974
Born in Wittenberg
Nation: Germany
Profession: Professional climber
Born and bred in the plains of East German Saxony with no sign of a mountain far and wide, initially Ines Papert's mountaineering ambition was understandably scarce. But as the former German Democratic Republic started opening up its doors, in the early 90s the freshly minted physiotherapist decided to take on a job in Bavaria and was suddenly thrown into the heart of the Alps. It all started off as an innocent flirt with some hiking on "normal" trails, some occasional mountain biking after work and the odd ski tour on weekends. But soon this light passion for mountain sports turned into an intensive love affair and finally into a stable relationship. Since her retirement from competitive climbing, the four-times World Ice Climbing Champion has been focusing on high walls and exposed peaks which seem to exercise an irresistible attraction on her and take her to the remotest corners of the planet.
Josune Bereziartu
Born on 01/09/1972
Born in Lazkao (Basque Country)
Nation: Spain
Profession: Climber
Josune started climbing at the age of seven. After watching a TV programme called Nearly Impossible in which two women mastered a difficult wall, she decided to start pursuing her own climbing challenges true to the motto "I want more. I always want more."
Marko Prezelj
Born on 10/13/1965
Born in Ljubljana
Nation: Slovenia
Profession: Mountain guide and Alpine climbing instructor
It was curiosity that got Marko Prezelj into climbing. And curiosity is still his driving force. This expert mountain guide and photographer is all about intuition and how to overcome the limits set by your emotions and personality.
Reinhold Messner
Born on 02/17/1944
Born in Brixen/Bressanone (South Tyrol)
Nation: Italy
Profession: Extreme climber and mountaineer, adventurer, writer, politician
Famous, popular, inspiring: This exceptional mountaineer continues to fascinate the world even after retriring from professional climbing. "It was my frequent failures rather than my achievements that have made me who I am today." Reinhold Messner - the most successful mountaineer of all times.
Roger Schäli
Born on 08/08/1978
Born in Sörenberg
Nation: Switzerland
Profession: Mountaineer
Roger Schäli is among the world's very best ice and mixed-route climbers. He owes his passion to his father Edi who encouraged him to embrace mountaineering at an early age. And that's passion in its literal sense: At the age of sixteen, he only just survived a tragic accident which has marked him for life: A near-fatal rope mistake while climbing caused him to fall 30m into the void. After spending weeks in hospital, he now climbs with renewed zest and care - and preferably with Simon Gietl.
Simon Gietl
Born on 11/05/1984
Born in San Giovanni in Valle Aurina/St. Johann im Ahrntal (South Tyrol)
Nation: Italy
Profession: Mountaineer
Simon Gietl is the living proof that you don't need to start early if you want to be exceptionally good at what you're doing. While today's climbing talents like Tito Traversa start racing up rock walls at the age of six, Simon only started when he was 18. But once the climbing bug had bitten, he just couldn't seem to stop anymore. Thanks to this insastiable new appetite, the young South Tyrolean reached the peak of Cerro Fitz Roy in Patagonia back in 2009 together with his team mate Roger Schäli.
Stefan Glowacz
Born on 03/22/1965
Born in Garmisch Partenkirchen/Bavaria
Nation: Germany
Profession: Extreme climber, lecturer, entrepreneur
Stefan Glowacz's name stands for a life in the Vertical and the never-ending search for new challenges. In his successful career, he seems magically attracted to unconquered peaks. But the 46-year-old is not only a true adventurer and climber: In his talks, he fascinates his audience with his expeditions but also treats economic issues. A much sought-after expert who regularly inspires leaders of the international business community, he is also the co-founder and manager of the Red Chili climbing equipment brand.
Thomas Huber
Born on 11/18/1966
Born in Palling/Bavaria
Nation: Germany
Profession: Professional mountaineer and climber, mountain guide
Together with his younger brother Alexander, Thomas personifies one of the world's most successful rope teams in contemporary Alpinism. His passion ivolves climbing mountains, but also getting back off them quickly: BASE jumping! In 2001 he won the Piolets d'Or award. He is currently also active in social matters, supporting the charity organisation Himalaya-Karakorum-Hilfe e.V. together with his brother.
