Himalaya 2014

On 19 August 2014, Sebastian Haag and I set off on another skiing expedition to the Himalayas. This time, we weren’t just planning to climb one 8,000-metre peak, but two. The aim was to summit both Shishapangma (8,013 m) and Cho Oyu (8,201 m) on skis in speed-style within just seven days. Furthermore, the route between the summits’ base camps was to be covered exclusively ‘by fair means’ – by mountain bike or on foot. An endeavour at high altitude throughout and without artificial oxygen.
The idea of climbing two eight-thousanders in succession isn’t as crazy as it might sound. Others have done it before, and it actually makes sense. Once acclimatised to the altitude, the physical effort required to tackle a second eight-thousander is considerably less.
But it was not to come to that.
Sebastian Haag and Andrea Zambaldi lost their lives in an avalanche on 24 September 2014. A part of me died with them.
…
I often go to the mountains. I now stand alone on many of the peaks that Basti and I once climbed together. It is my way of keeping him close, of mourning him, of remembering him and our time together with deep gratitude.