Tuesday, 14th April 2015. For three days, Chamonix and Courmayer became the world’s mountaineering capital and celebrated the finest ascents across the globe!
The opening ceremony of the Piolets d’Or (23rd edition) took place on Thursday, 9 April, in Chamonix. The event was followed by a film screening called "Metanoia", paying homage to Jeff Lowe. Next day celebration was dedicated to the golden age of mountaineering. Pioneers and personalities of alpine style climbing gathered together to discuss and present the "Alpinism of then and now".
On Saturday evening, the celebrations traveled to the other side of Mont-Blanc, to Courmayeur more precisely, with the grand finale ceremony during which, the Piolets d’Or were awarded to the selected ascents, as well as the Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement award.
As is well known, three ascents has been chosen by the committee. This international team of nine climbers had the difficult task of choosing not only the best performance, but also to point out what makes them unique in their own way, to appreciate their creativity, innovation, their values and respect for nature.
Here are the 2015 nominees:
- The Traverse of the Fitz Roy Group. Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold (USA) succeeded in completing the full traverse of the Fitz Roy Group from north to south. They were honoured for their traverse in a gesture of huge respect.
- Russian climbers Aleksander Gukov and Aleksey Lonchinskiy were also rewarded for their first ascent of the 1,620m high Southwest Face of Thamserku. Actually, they intended to climb the north face but the big desire of achieving a Piolet d'Or made them change the route, and here they are now... enjoying the well deserved trophy.
- The 3rd Piolet d'Or went to Ales Cesen, Marko Prezelj and Luka Lindic.The Slovenian climbers have won the prestigious Piolet d'Or award for extraordinary achievements in mountaineering. They spent nearly a month in the Kishtwar Himalaya of India this autumn, having a great experience in an unknown area.
Lifetime Achievement award
The seventh Piolet d’Or Career has been awarded this year to Sir Chris Bonington. "I'm an emotional old soul", simply said the legend. Undoubtedly, the most expected moment was the 20-minute film featuring his life and climbing career.
It was an evening to remember, great time with amazing people. Despite their different nationality, different traditions and language, they all had one thing in common: the passion of climbing!
