INES PAPERT
Ines Papert is arguably the pre-eminent female alpinist of her generation. A former World ice climbing champion, some of her best achievements in the Greater Ranges include the first ascents of Likhu Chuli in the Rolwaling Himal, Quantum of Solace on the Great Walls of China and Lost in China on the southeast face of Kyzyl Asker in the Western Kokshaal-too. Elsewhere, the second free ascent of Camilotto-Pellissier on the north face of the Cima Grande, a repeat of The Hurting on Coire an t-Sneachda in the worst Scottish weather imaginable, and the best attempt to date to free Riders on the Storm, Central Tower of Paine, add to a formidable tally of ascents. Ines was a Piolets jury member in 2012 & 2019.
KELLY CORDES
Kelly Cordes hails from Estes Park, Colorado, from where he climbs and writes. His first major new routes were made in Alaska, but he has continued to climb fine new lines in the Karakoram, Patagonia, Peru, the Canadian Rockies and Lower 48 states, and Scotland. Perhaps most notable are his first ascents of the Azeem Ridge on Great Trango Tower, one of the longest alpine rock climbs in the world, and the first enchainment of Los Tiempos Perdidos and the upper West Face of Cerro Torre. Now an ambassador for Patagonia, Kelly was once Senior Editor of the American Alpine Journal, has written many articles that have been published in magazines and on the web, produced an award-winning book, The Tower, and has recently co-written another highly-praised book, The Push
VALERY BABANOV
Valeri Babanov is a Russian mountain guide from Omsk now living in Canada. He began climbing in 1980 but first made his mark internationally in 1998 with a new route, solo, on the west face of the Petit Dru. He followed this a year later with a new route, also solo, on the north face of the Grandes Jorasses. He went on to have huge success in the Greater Ranges, where his achievements include: a new line on the north face of Kangtega; a new route on the west face of Broad Peak; a new route on the southwest face of Gasherbrum I; a new route on Chomo Lonzo North to the summit ridge; the first ascent of Nuptse East; the first ascent of Meru Central; and new routes in the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. Many of these lines were climbed solo. His ascents on Meru Central and Nuptse East were both awarded Piolets d'Or, and he has since frequently appeared as a member of the Piolets jury.
VICTOR SAUNDERS
Victor Saunders began climbing in Scotland, establishing a variety of interesting routes from 1978 onwards. In 1980 he took his Scottish ethics to the Himalaya (amongst others, the east face of Uzum Brakk 1980, the north face or 'Golden Pillar' of Spantik in 1987, west face of Kangchungtse in 1989). He has received two book awards; the Boardman-Tasker in 1990, and the Salon International du Livre du Montagne, Passy, in 2015. He now lives quietly in Les Houches.
HELIAS MILLERIOUX
Over the last few years Hélias Millerioux has been one of the most active high altitude mountaineer of his generation. Often featured in more than one film at the same mountain festival, Hélias has accumulated an impressive list of ascents with some legendary alpinists. He is an extremely strong mixed climber with ascents in Argentina, Peru, Alaska, Nepal and Pakistan. His ascent of the south face of the northwest summit of Nuptse with Frédéric Degoulet and Benjamin Guigonnet was awarded a Piolet d’Or in 2018 and member of the jury in 2020.
