Simone Moro

Alpinist

Simone’s childhood passion for exploration has delivered him to the ice-encrusted summits of the highest mountains on Earth and his career achievements will light up the chronicles of climbing history for years to come. A tenacious master of the winter ascent and a technically gifted specialist in fast and light alpine climbing, he is one of the most respected climbers in the world and a source of inspiration to an entire generation of climbers.

Quick Facts

Hometown

Bergamo, Italy

Homebase

Bergamo and USA

Biggest dream

To realize the Everest-Lhotse traverse without oxygen or one more winter 8000m peak.

How do I focus

-

Best advice

To believe in my dream and not in what others think.

What inspires you?

Never stop dreaming and attempting what is considered "impossible."

Words to live by

Humility and happiness!

Favourite other fitness exercise

-

I don’t leave home without my...

-

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/iamsimonemoro/

Top 4 career highlights

  • The only alpinist to have reached four 8000m peaks completely in the winter season, after his ascents of Shisha Pangma in 2005, Makalu in 2009, Gasherbrum II in 2011 and Nanga Parbat in 2016.
  • He has summited Everest four times, in 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2010. His 2006 expedition marked the first south-north traverse of Everest.
  • In 2008 he made the first ever alpine ascent of Beka Brakai Chhok in Pakistan (with Hervé Barmasse).
  • In 2004 he completed the first ascent of the North Face of Khali Himal, also known as Baruntse North in Nepal.

Biography

Simone Moro’s achievements within high-altitude mountaineering are matched only by his feats of bravery. A veteran of 15 winter expeditions, he is the only alpinist to have completed four 8,000m ascents in winter, on Shisha Pangma (8027m) in 2005, Makalu (8485m) in 2009, Gasherbrum II (8035m) in 2011 and Nanga Parbat (8126m) in 2016. And, in 2001, he abandoned his own attempt of the Everest-Lhotse Traverse, to save English climber, Tom Moores who was stuck on the west face of Lhotse. He endured horrific conditions in darkness, on his own with an extremely high risk of avalanche and without supplementary oxygen. Furthermore, as the first European helicopter pilot qualified to fly in Nepal, he has also completed numerous rescue operations from the air – including taking part in the highest long-line rescue at 7,800m on Everest in 2013.

However, his climbing career actually started on rock in the Bergamasque Alps in his native Italy at the tender age of 13. He continues to rock climb, with up to 8b+ on rock and M11 mixed, and an equivalent standard on ice – but it is his success as an expedition climber which has sculpted his legendary reputation.

When he’s not climbing mountains or flying his helicopter, he’s parachuting or wing-suit skydiving. He’s an author of five books about lessons learned and experiences enjoyed in the mountains.

Awards

2009, 2011

His winter ascents of Makalu and Gasherbrum II earned him two nominations for the Piolet D’Or Asia in 2009 and 2011.

2005, 2008, 2009

He has twice received the Premio Paolo Consiglio (the mountaineering award of the Italian Alpine Club) in 2005 and 2009, as well as the Premio Dalla Longa in 2008 and 2009.

2001

His rescue of a British climber on the Everest-Lhotse traverse of 2001 earned him the Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Trophy, the Italian Gold Medal for Civic Value and the David A. Sowles Memorial Award from the American Alpine Club.

Discover the latest news

CLIMBING POBEDA

A winter first-ascent in the coldest region on earth

THE KANGCHENJUNGA SKYLINE EXPEDITION

A 5.5 km traverse above the death zone

All Climbers

Hervé Barmasse

Stefano Ghisolfi

Jacopo Larcher

James Pearson

Caroline Ciavaldini

David Göttler

Eneko Pou

Iker Pou

Siebe Vanhee

Babsi Vigl

Mike Arnold

View more athletes

View less athletes