On May 24, a group of mostly seasoned and self-sufficient climbers summited Kangchenjunga. Some of them reached the top without supplementary oxygen.
Among them was German alpine guide and 8,000m skier Luis Stitzniger. Two days later, news broke that he went missing shortly after starting his descent.
Stitzinger planned to summit without oxygen and ski back down to Base Camp. It is not clear exactly what happened or if he was on skis when he disappeared. His outfitter, Seven Summit Treks, told The Himalayan Times that he “was last seen descending at around 8,500m.”
A search and rescue operation is ongoing.
Luis Stitzinger beside a summit cross in the Otztahler Alps. Photo: Luis Stitzinger/Facebook
Stitzinger is a certified mountain and ski-touring guide, and an expert in high-altitude skiing. He has summited nine 8,000’ers, all without oxygen except for Everest, where he guided teams to the summit in 2019 and 2022.
He has also skied (completely or partially) Gasherbrum II, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, K2, Manaslu, and Shishapangma, as well as the north face of Peak Lenin (7,134m). Stitzinger usually climbs and skis with his wife, Alli von Melle, but this time she is at home, waiting for news.
Alix von Melle (left) and Luis Stitzinger on an 8,000’er. Photo: Lowa/Go Climb a Mountain
