| Karl Unterkircher | |
|---|---|
Karl Unterkircher in July 2007 |
|
| Born | August 27, 1970 Sëlva, Italy |
| Died | July 15, 2008 (aged 37) Nanga Parbat |
| Occupation | Mountaineer |
| Website | |
| karlunterkircher.it | |
Karl Unterkircher (August 27, 1970, Sëlva - July 15, 2008) was an Italian mountaineer. He is mostly known for opening new mountain routes. In 2004, he was the first alpinist to climb the two highest peaks on Earth (Mount Everest and K2) without oxygen in the same year.[1] Karl made the second ascent of Mount Genyen, China,[1] (first ascent by Japanese in 1987) and the first ascent of the North face of Gasherbrum II (together with Daniele Bernasconi and Michele Compagnoni). He also climbed the Jasemba, Nepal, (together with Hans Kammerlander). He has received several awards including the Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.
On July 15, 2008, he fell into a crevasse during an attempt to open a new route to the top of Himalayan mountain Nanga Parbat and is presumed dead.[1][2] "Karl Unterkircher was the new star of mountain climbing", commented Reinhold Messner when told of his death.[2]
A Karl Unterkircher Award was conferred for the first time in July 2010 in Sëlva to the Swiss rock climber Ueli Steck.