September 28

Born in Paris in 1930, René Desmaison began climbing in the Alps at a young age, quickly earning a reputation for bold expeditions. He completed numerous first ascents in the Himalayas, including challenging routes on Nanga Parbat and Cho Oyu. Desmaison promoted lightweight, fast-paced climbing techniques long before they became mainstream. An accomplished author and photographer, he documented his adventures and inspired future generations of climbers. He remained active in mountaineering communities until his passing in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of adventure and innovation.

Born in Nuremberg in 1954, Kurt Albert revolutionized rock climbing by introducing the term "redpoint" to describe free climbs. He began his climbing career in the German Frankenjura region, later tackling routes across Europe and North America. Albert integrated his passion for photography into his climbs, producing iconic images that captured the spirit of the sport. He inspired the clean-climbing movement and contributed to the global popularity of sport climbing. Albert continued to explore and document his adventures until his passing in 2010, leaving a profound impact on the climbing community.