Horrible news from Annapurna 2005: Christian Kuntner has reportedly died

Update: The Italian press is reporting horrible news to EverestNews.com that Christian Kuntner (with 13 of the 14 8000 meter peaks done) has died in an avalanche. Details to follow. Our prayers go out to Christian's family...

Update: Dear EverestNews.com, my husband Silvio together with his friend Christian, the five Italians from Aosta Valley and three from the Australian team (Andrew Lock, etc), Monday 16th of May reached Camp II where today they stopped causing of high wind. Yesterday on their way up they found 60 cm of fresh snow that forced them to break the trail again.

They all hope that this wind will sleep away the fresh snow and leave behind safer conditions on the route. They spent Sunday to dismantled Base Camp as the morning after Merelli, Panzeri and Bernasconi left BC by helicopter with most of the gear. Now at the BC there is only one tent as all the other 8 climbers are 15 minutes walking down.

Tonight he phoned me, he was very anxious to go up.

The improvement of the weather is decisive, forecast predict a small break from this evening until Thursday.

As usual we all must wait and see how the things will going on ! 

I will keep inform You.

Ciao Idel

Previous Update

Background

Silvio will go to Annapurna around the 20 of March together with 4 Italian friends (Mario Merelli, Christian Gobbi, Daniele Bernasconi, Mario Panzeri). They will try on the North Face. After he will probably go with "Al filo de lo imposible" team to Nanga Parbat.

Silvio Mondinelli, (1958), Mountain Guide, Alagna Valsesia, Italy reached the Summit of Everest without Oxygen on the 23rd May 2001. Since then he has added Summits of G1, G2 and Dhaulagiri. Four SUMMITS OF 8000M PEAKS IN 2001 FOR SILVIO. Four 8000 meter peaks Summits in 2001 for Silvio. He is a rising star...

We covered Silvio Mondinelli on Autumn Annapurna 2002.

We covered Silvio Mondinelli on Winter Broad Peak.

In Spring of 2003 he was on Kangchenjunga.

Shishapangma 2003

Everest and K2 in Spring 2004.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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