17. "Piolets d’Or" Vergabe im April 2009 in Chamonix

It brings together the greatest international climbers who have achieved the most amazing climbs throughout the highest mountains on the planet.

At the foot of the mont Blanc

The 17th edition will take place between Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (France) and Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley (Italy) on the 24th and 25th of April 2009. Thanks to the blessing of the Mont-Blanc, the spirit of the Piolets d’Or will find a new inspiration, a new energy: it will show to a large audience the pioneering routes on mountains around the world, confirm the values of mountaineering today, celebrate the spirit of being tied together and the solidarity of making the most of shared exceptional adventures.

Establishing the base Camp of the Piolets d’Or, between Chamonix and Courmayeur both historical capital of world mountaineering was an obvious choice. Unmissable routes for all people who love mountaineering, international window of some of the most beautiful ascents at altitude, the range of mountains offers all aspects of high level alpinism up to 4807 meters! And allows the practice of all the other sporting disciplines linked to it.

Amateur mountaineers or high altitude mountain guides, climbers, hikers, skiers, paragliders and base jumpers meet, socialise, share and discuss the adventures of the day with each other, as well as the spectators who follow them through their lenses. These valleys offer a unique occasion to follow the tracks of all those who have written the story of mountaineering ; to feel, each in their own way, the pioneer of their own passion.

A new movement

Organised in different places, the Piolets d’Or created in 1991 by Montagnes Magazine with its chief editor Guy Chaumereuil and the Groupe de Haute Montagne (GHM) returns to its roots at the base of Mont Blanc. Today a new generation of mountaineers at the head of GHM, the association, for the first time, Montagnes Magazine and Vertical, leading titles by Niveales as well as high motivation from Courmayeur and the Aosta Valley associated with Chamonix brings a breath of fresh air and a strong new dynamic so that this event becomes the largest festival of mountaineering.

By celebrating the most significant mountaineering accomplishments of the year, the Piolets d’Or confirms more than ever their will to share the experiences of the highest level with the general public. On the program, meetings, conferences/ Café, debates and film showings will prove that the highest level is not only a matter of elitism. At altitude, as in life, achieving high objectives is also a question of determination, audacity and passion. The Piolets d’Or 2009 rewards the emblematic performances of the year and for the first time will honour an alpinist for his lifetime achievement.

Organisation committee 2009

• Christian Trommsdorff - President of the Groupe de Haute Montagne (GHM)
• Claude Gardien - Chief editor of Vertical
• Manu Rivaud - Editor Montagnes Magazine
• Luigi Cortese - Mission leader – Mairie of Courmayeur
• Bernard Prud’homme - Director of the Tourism office of Chamonix
• Claude Marin - Mission leader – Mairie of Chamonix

Jury     

• President of the jury - Doug Scott (GB)
• Members of the jury - Five alpinists and journalists of specialised press.

The names of the nominees and the judging panel will be revealed towards the end of January 2009.