The extreme alpinist Karl Unterkircher was born on August 27 1970 in Selva di Val Gardena.
At the age of 15 he discovered his passion for climbing, he was a climbing trainer in the military service and passed the mountain guide exam in 1997.
He celebrated his first big success in 2004 when he ascended Mount Everest and K2 without artificial oxygen in just two months. For this, he was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 2008. The ascent of the Jasemba, Nepal, with Hans Kammerlander and of the Gasherbrum II with Daniele Bernasconi and Michele Compagnoni followed in the next years.
On July 15 2008 the 38-year-old Karl Unterkircher was killed in an accident while climbing over the Rakhiot-ice wall on Nanga Parbat.
14.07.2018 Selva Val Gardena / Italy
The nominees for the 5th Karl Unterkircher Award on 14th July in Selva di Val Gardena are:
Simone Moro (I), Ali Sadpara (PAK) and Alex Txikon (E)
26.02.2016 Summit and first winter ascent of Nanga Parbat (8126 m, Karakorum, Pakistan)
Ines Papert (D) and Luka Lindič (SLO)
"Lost in China" 11.01.2017 Summit and new ice climbing route of the Kyzyl Asker (5842m) in Kyrgyzstan (China)
Simon Gietl (I) and Marcel Schenk (CH)
16.11.2016 "Amore di Vetro". A first ascent in mixed climbing (rock and ice) of Pizzo Badile (3,308 m) in Switzerland
The achievements of the nominated alpinists are presented on Saturday July 14th at 21.00 hrs at the Culture house “Oswald von Wolkenstein” in Selva di Val Gardena with video recordings and slide shows.
The awards consist in a sum of money of Euro 2000,00 or 1500,00 and a plaque of dolomite stone.
Jury:
Silvio Mondinelli "Gnaro" (Italy) president
Thomas Huber (Germany) alpinist Huberbuam
Carlo Caccia (Italy) journalist
Simon, Kehrer (Italy) alpinist, former climbing partner of Karl Unterkircher at Nanga Parbat
Hubert Moroder (Italy) member Catores mountain guide
Guests of honor: Kurt Diemberger (the only alpinist, who has made the first ascents on two Eight-thousander).
Work group:
Silke Perathoner (+39 339 7 160 765); Peter Unterkircher (+39 348 7 791 997); Herbert Mussner (+39 335 8 097 735); Ellis Kasslatter (+39 338 7 599 257)
Val Gardena Mountain Guide Association
Catores Climbing Guide
Tourist Board Selva Gardena
Sunday 15.7. 11 a.m. commemorative service for Karl in the Vallunga Chapel St. Sylvester
Entry: entry with voluntary donation
Informations: +39 0471 777900
Photos by Diego Moroder
Photos by Diego Moroder
