Canadian alpinist Raphael Slawinski will attempt a first ascent on the North East Face of Everest this summer alongside two German teammates. The team aim to complete the route in pure alpine style.
Raphael has over 20 years of lightweight alpinism under his belt, yet this will be his first ever attempt at a peak of 8000 metres - and he’s chosen to do it on Everest: "I wanted to experience it, but I also wanted to experience it on my own terms."
© Chris Noble
For those who might not know much about him, Raphael is a humble 47 year-old full-time physics professor at the University of Calgary as well one of Canada’s most accomplished alpinists, with first ascents of many mixed routes in the Canadian Rockies, such as The God Delusion (175 m, M8+ WI5+) and Nachtmahr (85 m, M9 WI5).
© Chris Noble
In 2013, he made the first ascent of K6 West (7040 m) via the North West Face (M6+ WI4+) in the Charkusa Glacier, Karakoram, Pakistan, with Ian Welsted.
Last year, Raphael was the Winner of the 2014 Piolet d’Or and was nominated by National Geographic as “Adventurer of the Year."
Visit his blog here.
Raphael is sponsored by: Arc'teryx, Black Diamond and Scarpa
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