From the left to the right : Ines, alpinewear buyer and Reiner, general manager of Sport Schuster, the whole Mountain Academy team and Ueli Steck
Robert Jasper presenting his last expedition
The 2nd stage began with a full day in Sport Schuster, our partner in Munich. At Sport Schuster, Mountain Hardwear athletes Ueli Steck and Robert Jasper presented films from their latest projects. Ueli discussed his recent Eiger speed record and Robert spoke on his recent expedition to Baffin Island. Sport Schuster held a climbing contest (the store is more than 5 stories tall, and includes a 15-meter climbing wall). After the contest, we presented the candidates from the Mountain Academy. All the candidates who participated in this program were interviewed by Ueli Steck...a really rewarding experience for these young people!
The winner of the climbing contest receiving his prize from Robert Jasper
After this exhausting but very successful day (the store was crowded from the beginning until the end of the day), we arrived in Lofer, Austria to set up our base camp...in the rain. Luckily, the sun was there the day after and stayed with us all week.
]]> This 2nd stage focused on rock climbing and was really a success, due to the very good conditions and the amazing possibilities we had in terms of cliffs around Lofer.
Tito, the Italian candidate, making his effort...
The girlie roped party...
...watching the film they just made
For this stage, the guides really highlighted the importance of security. We tended a climbing accident on the first day (fortunately, the guy who fell was alive) and this made all the young selected people aware of the importance of always checking their partner's security.
How to learn how to work together...
We had David Ravanel, a professional photographer, with us again on Stage 2 (he was with us on Stage 1). This time we also added Bertrand Delapierre to the team, who made a video during the 3 days we were in Lofer. It was a big advantage to have these 2 guys with us, since they showed the Mountain Academy candidates how to film their partners, how to take a good picture...
Fred found a new job...
Some slackline activities after a long day
We had everybody with us on this stage, even if Benjamin, the Austrian candidate, broke his leg one month ago in Chamonix. He didn't climb but he really wanted to be part of this stage.
Summit is reached!
A big huge thanks to Neil Gresham and Klemen Preml, who joined us during the 2nd stage and fully played the role of mentor by telling stories, and rehearsing their experiences, to these young people. Can't wait for the 3rd stage!
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Most of the pictures taken by David Ravanel have been taken during the "quiet" day. We had to be very careful with the conditions as well as saftey (lots of fresh snow, wind, avalanches...). The collaboration between the mountain rescue team from Valle Aosta and the French guides have been constructive and decisive (but sometimes not that easy...). The French helicopter from the French rescue team has offered a "free" fly to Jerome Blanc Gras (French mountain guide, head of the coordination for the Mountain ACademy program), due to a twisted knee. We are still crossing our fingers and expect that the ligaments are not broken (more to know in the coming days).
GORE, the so well known manufacturer of waterproof but breathable fabrics (and windstopper) has decided to join the group of The Mountain ACademy partners. With all these relevant supports, The Mountain ACademy can't expect better outdoor godfathers!
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