In reply to Will Sim:
From The Website:
http://www.pioletsdor.org/
The Spirit of Modern Alpinism
More than just the recognition of a performance, the Piolets d'Or celebrates passion, spirit and values.
The spirit of the Piolets d’Or draws its inspiration from the history of alpinism and the authenticity of true team spirit.
The style should take precedence over the conquest of an objective. Success is no longer about getting to the summit at all costs, employing all possible financial and technical means, (oxygen, fixed ropes, doping products, etc) or large-scale human resources (high-altitude porters or sherpas).
The Piolets d’Or event encourages imagination in searching for innovative routes using a maximum of economy of means, making use of experience and respecting man and nature.
The Piolets d’Or is attached to making climbing a shared and valued richness all over the world, capable of attracting the best of human ambitions whilst encompassing moral values and edifying behaviour.
The Piolets d'Or event is therefore a celebration of an ethical alpinism, rich in emotion.
..... The irrational fears have given way to high level preparation, a taste for adventure and complete commitment. The mountaineers take responsibility for the risks taken during these extreme climbs, where the only rescue available will come from their climbing companions or their expedition team.
Mountaineering, an incongruous activity in our societies, is a vehicle for the values of commitment and high performance, achieved with a deep respect for nature in one of its most powerful expressions: the high mountains. The performance is difficult to assess. The summit cannot be the only goal: the manner in which it is achieved is the main objective.
While a major crisis destabilizes our society, a few men and women with no desire for celebrity or without forecasting any return on their investment, perpetuate the ideal of climbing summits by the most beautiful means possible, because the mountains are exists and offer them this challenge “by fair means”.
It was an obvious choice for Courmayeur and Chamonix to give something back to these “Conquerors of futility” in recognition of their undertakings in terms of means and values.
Here, where mountaineering was born 250 years ago, it will be celebrated. The Piolets d'Or awards are a return to the roots and a celebration to understand the essence of this still-growing discipline. ...