Ethan Berman
United States of America - age 34
A key figure in contemporary American alpine style, Ethan gained international recognition in 2021 when he was awarded a Piolet d'Or for a new line on the famous Emperor Face on Mount Robson with Uisdean Hawthorn. Highly active in both Canada and Patagonia, he raised the bar even higher in June 2025 by completing the coveted first ascent of the south-east pillar of Ultar Sar (7,388 m, Batura Muztagh, Pakistan) in six days (with Maarten van Haeren and Sebastian Pelletti): "a striking 3,000-metre line [...] across the sky to the summit."
Aymeric Clouet
France - age 45
A mountain guide, Aymeric has been a tireless ambassador for alpine style in mountain ranges around the world for more than twenty years. He has been involved in notable first ascents in the Andes (Jirishanca in 2003), Patagonia (Fitz Roy in 2008) and the Himalayas (east ridge of Ganesh V in 2007). He has also been active in the Alps (south face of Mont Blanc in winter 2011, climbing the Super Intégrale de Peutery). In August 2024, together with Damien Tomasi, a fellow instructor at ENSA, he devised a "Peuterey 2.0" on the latter slope, featuring the most adventurous routes possible
Young Hoon Oh
Korea - age 47
Based in a country “with colonial past and no glaciated mountains” Young Hoon have long been seeking ways in which alpinism may shine for all and for long. His light-and-fast approach in Himalayan climbing, including the first ascent of Amphu I (6 740 m, 2013), “was a result of many years of climbs in South Korea and elsewhere in both classical and innovative ways." This distinct journey—from a hilly land to Greater Ranges—has offered him moments to ponder beyond the terms such as height and grade and identify the essence of alpinism to envision its diverse pathways into the future. As a founding member of the Korea Himalayan Fund, he is “part of a small circle of Korean alpinists seeking alternatives and variations as the mountains are becoming increasingly finite and fragile.”
Ines Papert
Germany - age 51
Ines is all about versatility. Winner of several ice climbing cups and world championships, she is equally at home mixed climbing on the north face of the Eiger as she is on rock, where she has repeatedly achieved the 8th grade in free climbing, whether on crags or the big walls of the Alps. She is motivated today to explore new areas, from the Himalaya to Patagonia.
"It's not the name or reputation of a mountain or route that attracts my attention. It's about following my own path and devoting myself to stimulating projects".
Enrico Rosso
Italia - age 64
Ethics, lightness and discretion have always been Enrico Rosso's signature. He attempted technical ascents in alpine style at a time when this style was little practiced. His objectives have been as aesthetic as they have been difficult, for example the northeast face of Shivling in 1986, and the southwest ridge of Latok III in 1988. In 1989, he reached the summit of the Diamond Pillar at over 6,900m in an attempt on a new route up the south pillar of Nuptse, and in 1994 climbed a mostly new route on the north side of Thalay Sagar to within 200m of the summit, both in alpine style. Enrico has made numerous first ascents in Patagonia, Peru and Bolivia, and also on the east face of the Grandes Jorasses.
Jack Tackle
United States of America - age 71
A true legend of North American mountaineering, Jack has been climbing mountains all over the world for almost 50 years. In particular, he has left his mark in Alaska, making numerous major first ascents on the flanks of Denali, Foraker, and Mount Hunter that have inspired generations of climbers. In 1999 he received the coveted Underhill Award (recently renamed the Pinnacle Award) for lifetime achievement. A former director of the American Alpine Club, he is now Chairman of the Club’s Cutting Edge Alpine Grant committee.
"Actions speak louder than words".
Mikel Zabalza
Spain - age 55
From his first Himalayan expedition in 1992, to the free climb of Divine Providence, one of the flagship routes in the Mont Blanc massif, Mikel has never stopped pushing back his limits. But he has also passed on his experience to younger climbers by leading the Spanish mountaineering team. In 2023, he made the first ascent of Phurbi Txiki (6,140 m) in the Jugal Himal massif on the border between Nepal and Tibet.
"I've always sought out difficulty, but with an element of exploration and uncertainty."
