Karl Unterkircher

Who was Karl Unterkircher?

Karl Unterkircher was an Italian mountaineer. He is mostly known for opening new mountain routes. In 2004, he was the first alpinist to climb the two highest peaks on Earth without oxygen in the same year Karl made the second ascent of Mount Genyen, China, and the first ascent of the North face of Gasherbrum II. He also climbed the Jasemba, Nepal,. He has received several awards including the Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.

On 15 July 2008 he fell into a crevasse during an attempt to open a new route to the top of Himalayan mountain Nanga Parbat and is presumed dead. "Karl Unterkircher was the new star of mountain climbing", commented Reinhold Messner when told of his death.