July 22

Johan Nieuhof (1618–1672) was a Dutch traveler and writer. He embarked on multiple voyages with the Dutch East India Company. His journeys took him to Brazil, Java, and China during the mid-17th century. Nieuhof meticulously recorded his observations of local customs, flora, and fauna. His illustrated travelogue, published in 1665, influenced European perceptions of Asia. His work remains a valuable historical source on early modern exploration.

Born in Mayrhofen, Austria, in 1942, he became a leading high-altitude mountaineer. Together with Reinhold Messner, he made history by summiting Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen in 1978. He pioneered new routes in the Himalayas and the Karakoram, including the West Ridge of Makalu. An expert skier, he also descended mountains at high speed, setting records in extreme skiing. He has authored books and given lectures on mountaineering and human endurance. His achievements continue to inspire climbers and adventurers around the world.