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As professional climbers, we are always looking for great adventures in the most remote regions of the planet. Antarctica, the Himalayas, Baffin Island, Patagonia, to name but a few. But we also have a great responsibility to protect our habitat, the mountains and nature, and we have a duty to spread this message to the outside world.
This year's travel restrictions suddenly give us plenty of time to reflect and adapt our lifestyle to the current situation. Climate change must be stopped, and it is finally time for us, as ambassadors and top athletes, to set an example.
All appointments, expeditions, and lectures have been canceled or postponed indefinitely. Suddenly, there is nothing but time.
After a bike ride in the local mountains in Berchtesgaden, I sit on my sunny terrace and have a sudden desire to go traveling on my mountain bike. But not just for the sake of traveling, but for climbing. But who could I get excited about this idea?
The name Caro North immediately comes to mind. She is a friendly, young, and extremely ambitious mountaineer whom I had the pleasure of meeting in Patagonia. She is probably at home too, just like the rest of us. Caro is enthusiastic and immediately agrees. We would decide on the specific destination later and adapt it to the current travel options. Caro and I would tow our equipment in a trailer and eat local products. Without the support of a support vehicle, of course.
Expedition Switzerland from East to West
Our first destination is “Intifada”, a route in Graubünden's Rätikon.
From there, we continue our journey to the Teufelstalschlucht gorge in Andermatt to climb “Peruvian Dust”.
We then take the big climb over the Susten Pass to reach our next destination, the ultra-classic “Excalibur” on the Wendenstöcke.
The next destination on the agenda is the Geneva Pillar on the north face of the Eiger. “Deep Blue See” is one of my personal highlights of this trip, the best you can find in this style.
On the way to western Switzerland, we will climb another beautiful route on the south face of the Gastlosen, before finishing off with the Traverse of the Aig. Dorées from east to west. After four weeks on weels, I will make my way back home by train.
What an adventure, so simple and so powerful.
