Our congratulations to Valery and Sergey

Valery Babanov wore a similar smile. He is the most western of the Russian alpinists, the only one to have received the UIAGM international Alpine Guide diploma. A brief look at the small Siberian’s climbing curriculum will make even the strongest feel fainthearted, his routes are true masterpieces. From Pamir to Mont Blanc, from North America’s highest to his favourite Himalaya, Babanov’s ascents have left their mark on alpinism. Climbing alone or with others, his alpine style mountaineering has always been distinguished by stylish fast and light. “Unfortunately there are many walls, like the west face of Makalu, that seem impossible for alpine style ascents” exclaimed Valery “but I choose to climb in the style I love most, pushing my personal limit that bit further every time I climb”. This is the absolute limit, we feel we must add. Like the limit reached when climbing Jannu’s western spur, which netted him the Grolla D’Or for the “finest international alpinist achievement by an alpine guide”. A beautiful route (in many respects a sort of university of alpinism) on a dream mountain. The ascent was carried out together with Sergey Kofanov who joined the stage with Babanov. The two were given a huge final round of applause!