Makalu (8463m), the winter crown of the Himalaya …The winter summit of Makalu (8463m) - until now it has never been trodden by the human foot during the harsh winter season. At 2pm on Monday 9th February 2009 The North Face global athlete Simone Moro, together with his team-mate Denis Urubko, reached the summit and realised the dreams of so many. The winter crown of the Himalayas, as Makalu had become known, is their deserved reward. Simone and Denis have touched the limits of human endurance. They have opened a chapter into a new era by their success on one of the remaining high-altitude challenges. This ‘crown’ had posed the last great challenge for high altitude Himalayan mountaineering in winter. Makalu is a true giant in stature (at 8463m it is the 5th highest mountain in the world), in beauty, and in the minds and imaginations of the best high altitude alpinists of the world. Simone and Denis made their attempt in true alpine style - without oxygen or high altitude Sherpa - just the two of them - in a fast and light style. This was their way to attempt the challenge of Makalu. It was not so much a challenge with Makalu, but with themselves. The highest mountain in the Himalaya yet to be climbed in winter - they were sure it was not necessary to lay siege to the mountain with a big expedition. They thought only that it would be “necessary to be very fast and strong when it was time to work and climb ….” Fast and strong - when the time came, when the weather and wind permitted, then they were indeed fast and strong, and this led them to the virgin winter summit. Their success has realised the dreams and experience of almost 30 years, from the first winter attempt in 1980. The expedition has been documented with video and photo dispatches on www.simonemoro.com inviting a wide audience to follow and to be inspired. SIMONE’S PASSION FOR EXPLORATION has led him from his playground in the Italian Dolomites to the highest places on our earth. He is world renowned for his all round prowess as an alpinist, on rock, on ice and at altitude. His 40 expeditions during the last 16 years already include the first winter ascent of Shishapangma (8027m). Simone has incredible drive and energy, his humility, his happiness and his love for life are a constant inspiration. For Simone to reach the winter summit of Makalu he has lived a dream, for him “it has been a very deep personal joy, but also the culmination of almost 30 years of efforts from the world’s best alpinists”. Further Information:  |
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