Alpinist

Hervé BARMASSE

1977, Italy
Biography
Born and raised at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain, in a family where the guide’s job has been passed down from father to son for several generations, it was as if I had no choice but to become a climber too. Actually, everything happened almost by chance and step by step. I was only a teenager when the mountain started to fill me with emotions. At the age of fifteen I was a promising skier. Then a bad accident, during a competition, hopelessly brought to an end what would have probably been my future as a professional. I survived and after spending a year in rehabilitation, my father decided to give me a gift and took me on the Matterhorn. So at the break of an icy morning in October, I was ready for my first climb on the ‘Gran Becca’. At that time I couldn’t imagine that thanks to the mountains, I would live some of the most exciting experiences of my life. That day I just tried to walk without tripping over, being careful not to slow down my father’s pace. That day on the Matterhorn I had unconsciously decided my future.
Accomplishments

2021

Matterhorn 4478 m - first solo ascent of the Via De Amicis and first man to have climbed all six peaks of the Matterhorn solo

2017

Tibet - south face of Shisha Pangma 8027m in alpine style in 13 hours

2016

Nepal - solo ascent of northwestern ridge of Amphu Lapcha Peak 6400m

2014

Matterhorn - first winter enchainment of the four ridges, March 2014

2011

Mont Blanc - new route La classica moderna, August 2011

2008

Patagonia - First ascent of the northwest face of Cerro Piergiorgio