27.04.2009
Ueli Steck and Simon Anthamatten awarded with the „Piolets d’Or“ 2009 together with two more first ascents of Kalanka and Kamet
 We are very happy to inform you that Ueli Steck and Simon Anthamatten have been awarded with the “Piolets d’Or 2009”.
Saturday night the 17th annual event, who brought together during four days mountaineers from all four corners of the earth and which took place from April 23 until April 25, 2009 between Courmayeur (Italy) and Chamonix-Mont Blanc (France) –, has come to its end.
Ueli Steck und Simon Anthamatten have been awarded with the “Piolets d’Or 2009” because of their great first ascent in the alpin style of Tengkampoche Northface (6500m), Khumbu Valley, Nepal. Ueli Steck was already nominated for the Piolet d’Or in 2005 for his Khumbu-Express (Nepal): Solo first ascent of Cholatse Northface (6640m), solo first ascent of east face of Tawoche (6505m) and north-west-face of Ama Dablam (break off at 5900m, due to bad weather).
Ueli Steck: “It is a great honour for me to receive the “Piolets d’Or 2009” award. This award is given away from mountaineers who know what alpinism is all about. This price should also be trendsetting. Therefore it is a great confirmation that Simon and I are on the right way. Alpinism is not comparable. First of all it is a matter of personal experience and personal challenge. That’s why it is important to be able to follow some rules. With today’s modern technique everything is achievable. Every mountain can be climbed. But the mountaineer is not anymore the determining link between success and failure. Personally this is exactly what most matters: that the alpinist is the most important element between success and failure and not primarily the technical means.
Thanks to all my sponsors, which have been supporting me during all these years and who give me the opportunity to realise such idealistic goals.
Thank you also to Simon: this was one of the most beautiful expeditions I could experience.
Although this price was for 2009 I am proud of all my ascents. And we do not have to forget: it’s not over yet, it will go on. I am totally taken by my projects and I am trying to follow my projects. And the next one is close than we might think.”
The other two winners of the “Piolets d’Or 2009” are:
First ascent of the South-West face of Kamet (7756m, India) A mixed Japanese team composed of Kazuya Hiraide and Kei Taniguchi opened up the unclimbed South-west face of Kamet in alpine style, between 26th September and 7th October 2008. Name of Route : Samurai Direct. Height of Climb: 1800m. Difficulties declared: mixed M5+, ice 5+.
New route on the North face of Kalanka (6931m, India) In September 2008, the Japanese Fumitaka Ichimura, Yusuke Sato and Kazuki Amano achieved a new route on the North face of Kalanka in alpine style, which had never been ascended in one go in September. Height of Route: 1800m. Difficulty declared: mixed M5.
Walter Bonatti, the probably greatest alpinist of his time, has been awarded with the “Piolets d’Or-Carrière”.
Please find more information about the award under www.pioletsdor.com |
