October 24

Toni Kinshofer was a German alpinist born in 1931 who achieved international acclaim for his Himalayan expeditions. In 1953 he made the first successful winter ascent of the Eiger's north face. He later participated in the 1956 ascent of Nanga Parbat, one of the world’s highest peaks, enduring extreme weather and perilous conditions. Kinshofer’s skill and resilience inspired generations of climbers. He authored accounts of his climbs, sharing insights into high-altitude mountaineering. Kinshofer died in an avalanche in 1964, remembered as a bold and innovative climber.

Jerzy Kukuczka (1948–1989) became the second person to summit all fourteen of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters. Known for establishing new routes and tackling climbs in harsh winter conditions, he pushed the boundaries of alpine climbing. Kukuczka completed most of his ascents in alpine style, a pioneering approach at the time. He received multiple international awards for his mountaineering achievements. Tragically, he died in an avalanche while descending from Lhotse in the Himalayas. His legacy endures as one of mountaineering’s most courageous figures.