Stephan Siegrist

This is the meaning of the Hindu song “Har Har Mahadev” after which Stephan Siegrist and his team baptised their recent route in the Himalayas. Or in perfect English:

“You can do anything if you believe in yourself!”.

After two attempts, Stephan and his team members Thomas Huber and Julian Zanker were able to climb the spectacular Cerro Kishtwar (6,155 metres) for the first time in mid-October 2017. Nobody had ever climbed the mountain via the legendary and extremely demanding north-west face. Under extreme conditions of minus 20 degrees and with frostbitten toes, the three mountaineers had to clench their teeth. But their efforts were rewarded: On 14 October, the day they reached the summit, the team was rewarded with sunshine! Stephan was fascinated by the unbelievable scenery: “I haven’t haven´t had enough of Kashmir yet. We are all looking forward to further adventures powered by medi & CEP.”

Click on the podcast for an interview with Stephan about the Cerro Kishtwar project

In September 2014, Stephan Siegrist and his team went on an expedition to two unclimbed mountains. “The feeling of standing on top of a nearly 6,000 metre-high untouched peak is indescribable. No human has ever been here before!” As the first climbers, the team were able to name the two mountains. They decided on “Shiepra” (wife of the Indian God, Shiva) and “Kharagosa” (“rabbit” in Hindi). These overwhelming feelings, which can only be discovered at extreme heights and by taking great risks, continually push Stephan Siegrist to perform his best.

The expedition went even further: The first ascent of the Kishtwar Shivling was planned. Every expedition there has failed since 1983. Stephan Siegrist’s team almost had to abort their plan: A dangerous amount of snow blocked off the direct approach. But they then found their way through a snow tunnel: Like climbing up a chimney, they reached the peak at 5,895 metres.

During his visit to medi in Bayreuth, Stephan Siegrist found out about product development and production. He had lively conversations with the employees. The professional alpinist has tested medi products in environments that no workshop or development department can replicate. He has to be able to rely on medi products in extreme situations.

Stephan Siegrist enjoys wearing medi products and tells us why: “I have been mountaineering full-time for over 21 years. Whether it’s on the highline between the peaks of the Matterhorn, on rock faces in the Bernese Alps or on expeditions in Patagonia and Kashmir - the strain on people and equipment is intense. I make no compromises and choose medi products. I have to feel good about the products, just as I have to feel comfortable with the people I work with. A team sense of well-being. And that’s what I get with medi.”