Interview, Stitzinger and Melle: Everest North Side Without Oxygen

The sky-skier and his team mate are back in Himalaya.
(Tina Sjogren) UIAGM climbing guide and ski instructor Luis Stitzinger has skied down at least a portion of Gasherbrum II, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak (the col), and K2 (2,800 meter run). His attempt for the first consecutive ski descent of Manaslu turned out a nightmare and then came Shisha.

His regular real-life and climbing partner Alix Von Melle has more 8,000m summits than any other German female but usually prefers to climb down the same style she came up. Shishapangma became the sixth 8000m peak for the pair and then they took a timeout.

Now they are back, with a vengeance, going with Ralf Dujmovits signature team of mountaineers climbing Everest without oxygen. This season the Amical expedition is led by Dominik Mueller while Dujmovits will assess conditions on the mountain and may go for a new route variation himself. Canadian Nancy Hansen completes the outfit.

Shortly before their departure to Nepal on Easter Monday, we checked in with Luis for a fast Q & A.

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