My love for the outdoors started at a very early age. Holidays and weekends would always be spent not far from home, walking, hiking, climbing, swimming or cycling. Growing up in the Tyrol, all these activities are seen as utterly normal, those who do not spend their summers on summits and their winters on the piste are regarded as somewhat odd. With the Alpine climate and its extremes also comes a cultural adaptation of adjusting to and respect for the mightyness of nature.
Arco in Keskisuomi in 2006
Although I clogged up many miles on hiking trails as a child, I only really came to enjoy the benefits of the mind-clearing solitude that long walks bring, when I started walking with my four-legged partner of almost 14 years, Arco. Our rambles took us to many countries and I also started exploring the world on my own from about age 15, it was the age of the first really cheap flights.
University study and work then saw me move to Scotland, the USA and Finland and it was in the latter that I discovered my love for long distance walking and endurance sports.
In 2009, I moved to Southwest England and really started walking there and am now a regular at long distance challenges such as the OMM, LDWA events or I just take my rucksack and disappear into the Highlands of Scotland for a couple of days.
Longer travels in recent years have led me to Mongolia, onto the Pacific Crest Trail and most recently, to the Djetim Bel Range in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
Beside being an active member in the local Mountain Rescue team, I also gained my Mountain Leader qualification and jump at every opportunity of learning something new about this wonderful world we live in.