Career Highlights

  • Cerro Torre Ragni Route
  • 4x8000 no oxygen
  • Dhaulagiri Nanga Parbat (new route on diamir face)
  • Broad Peak K2 4x4000 project

    Interview

    • Climbing

      When and how did you get into climbing and what kept you interested / fascinated in the sport?

      Started as a kid and love to alternate climbing with skiing and all other mountain sports. Also massively into wingfoiling

      Who was your childhood hero and do you consider yourself a role model now? Does it influence you at all that other people look up to you?

      As a guide and climber I take it as part of my mission to get people to discover mountains in all forms

      What were the most important milestones in your life so far, both in climbing and in everyday life? Did you immediately recognize them as such or only later on?

      Greatest milestones have been:

      • University in UK
      • Working two years in South Africa as an engineer then deciding to go and live in Courmayeur
      • Becoming a mountain guide, working in mountain rescue - lots of climbing trips all over the world

      What were your greatest failures / setbacks / injuries? How did you cope with them and how did you come back from them?

      Broke both my ankles paragliding. Still recovering with a positive attitude

      What is your favorite climbing related story / experience?

      Trip to China in 2019 with Tomas Franchini

       

    • Training

      Do you have a strict training schedule for when and how you train throughout the year?

      At times, I am not very consistent

      What do you think of indoor climbing gyms in relation to climbing on actual rock?

      I love it but it depends what the ultimate goal is

      What advice can you give to somebody looking to improve their training routine?

      Climb outside as much as possible!

      Are you able to do a one-arm pull-up? How about a single finger?

      Never!

      How much of the success as a pro climber is due to show and how much due to actual climbing skill?

      I hope most to skill!

    • Psychology

      Is it possible for anybody to eventually perform a one-armed pull-up or get to the top of the Eiger/Matterhorn, or do you really have to be born for it?

      It is possible for anyone

      How important is it to set goals in professional sports? What are your goals / targets you are working towards in climbing and in life?

      Massive importance! Biggest challenge so far is finding work life balance as a mountain guide, working in mountain rescue and wanting to go to the sea!

      How to you deal with extremely hard climbing problems? Do you ever get frustrated and give up on them or do they motivate you even more?

      I am quite systematic in my approach and try to be humble. No harsh feelings

    • Future of rock climbing

      Is there anything you would like to change about the current developments in climbing?

      I can talk mostly about mountaneering, we are in a phase where mountains are changing very quickly and often become more dangerous. I would like to bring awareness to this in the community.

      Where do you see the sport going in the next years, what will change and what is your role going to be in it?

      I try to educate clients and friends to look for a healthy challenge whatever it may be.