Out of the 57 firsts, an international jury chose 6 to compete for the Golden Ice Axe.
The American Alpine Journal, major reference of all the big mountaineering ascents from around the world, gave it’s support to this 17th edition of the Oscars of Mountaineering.
Most of the nominated mountaineers will be in town starting Wednesday to celebrate and share their passion for the mountains with other festivalgoers. Conferences, debates, films and other cultural activities will be held this week in Chamonix and Cormayeur, two alpine capitals rich in history, home to the famous Mont Blanc.
British mountaineer, Doug Scott, advocate of “fair means” mountaineering, who climbed the southwest face of Everest in 1975 and miraculous ascent of the Ogre in Pakistan, will chair the jury. Pioneer of lightweight mountaineering, he embodies modern mountaineering and innovative routes.
Created in 1991 by Montagnes Magazine with the Groupe de Haute Montagne, the 2009 Piolet d’Or will be held in both Chamonix and Courmayeur and will be a series of events rather than a formal ceremony. Discussions will be held on mountaineering in the high altitudes of the Himalayas, the K2 accident last summer as well as many other mountain related topics.
Walter Bonatti will inaugurate this 17th edition Piolet d’Or on Friday evening.
The Program
- Wed 21:00, Majestic in Chamonix: Debate on modern mountaineering in the Himalayas
- Thursday 21:00, Majestic in Chamonix: Debate on Alpine mountaineering vs Himalayan mountaineering.
- Friday 21:00, Cinema Teatro in Courmayeur: soirée Piolet d'Or “career”
- Saturday 17:00, Majestic in Chamonix: presentation by Guérin publications of “Eiger Obsessions” by John Harlin III and "Le Duc des Abruzzes gentleman explorateur".
- Saturday 21:00, Majestic in Chamonix: Award ceremony for the best ascension of the year
