This year, the "Oscars of Mountaineering" will be awarded again from December 9th to 12th, 2025. The Piolets d'Or are the world's highest annual mountaineering award. This year, the awards ceremony will take place in San Martino di Castrozza in the Trentino Dolomites.
The meaning of the “golden ice picks”
In 2024, the boundaries of what was possible were pushed again, and there was another impressive list of first ascents in alpine style. This is precisely where the Piolets d'Or The award ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements in mountaineering. However, it is not about the final achievement or the summit itself, but rather about the Alpine style the climb, the level of commitment and independence, the spirit of discovery and respect for the environment, people, climbing partners and the sport itself.
Simple mountaineering, where you just go out without any outside support – no porters, no supplemental oxygen, no fixed ropes.
Christian Trommsdorff, organizer of the Piolets d'Or
The most notable ascents in 2024
The international jury of the Piolet d'Or is re-elected each year and consists of experienced alpinists from all over the world to reflect the diversity of alpine disciplines and regions. This year, it consists of Ethan Berman (USA), Aymeric Clouet (France), Young Hoon Oh (Korea), Ines Papert (Germany), Henry Red (Italy), Jack Tackle (USA) and Mikel Zabalza (Spain).
The 78 ascents on the Piolets d'Or "Big List" were selected and compiled by Lindsay Griffin, Editor-in-Chief of the American Alpine Journal, Dougal MacDonald, Editor-in-Chief of the American Alpine Journal, and Rodolphe Popier of the FFCAM, the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs. Not all expeditions on the list are eligible for the coveted award, but the committee considered all listed climbs to be noteworthy and exceptional.
The list with more detailed information on all 78 ascents can be found Here.
Special mention for women in mountaineering
This year, the Piolets d'Or committee is also awarding a special commendation to all-female rope teams. This special award is specifically designed to promote women in mountaineering.
This year, the award goes to Slovenian mountaineers Anja Petek and Patricija Verdev. The two were part of the four-person team that successfully climbed Lalung I via the East Ridge. Their route is now called "Here Comes the Sun" (M6+ AI5+, 2000 m). They completed their expedition in total, but had to stay in their tents for two of those days due to bad weather. During the final night, which they spent below the summit, they lost their tent poles in the wind and were forced to bivouac.
After reaching the summit the next day, they descended the long crest of the West Ridge and abseiled down the North Face.
With Lalung I, the jury recognizes the first ascent of a 6.000-meter-high peak in remote terrain, the complete traverse of the mountain, the ascent in pure alpine style over technical terrain and the resulting high level of commitment, especially when crossing the summit in poor conditions.
The ascent of "Here Comes the Sun" fits perfectly with the values of the Piolets d'Or and serves as an inspiration for women in alpine sports.
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Credits: Cover photo: Piotr Drożdż