Jacqueline Fritz

312 kilometres and 35,000 metres in altitude. These are the dimensions of the route that Jacqueline Fritz completed in her big adventure in 2016. The Palatinate native spent a total of 30 days travelling with her dog Loui and camerawoman Leila. The special thing: her two crutches were also part of the journey, as Jacqueline Fritz only has one leg.

But she is interested in more than just raising her profile:

"I wasn't interested in proving anything to anyone with this tour. I just wanted to see my project through. If it helps other people with disabilities to find the courage to live their dreams too, then that would make me happy."

Professionally, Jacqueline Fritz looks after her full-service advertising agency in Bad Bergzabern, while she is already making her next big plans. She is focussing more and more on climbing in particular. Her goal for the future would be to combine mountaineering, canoeing, climbing and camping.

Jaqueline Fritz,

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR PROJECT IDEA?
"A brief history: I lost my leg at the age of 15 after an unsuccessful ligament rupture operation. After the long period of illness, I was highly motivated and looking for new challenges. Thanks to a week-long holiday in the Allgäu, I was able to spend a lot of time hiking. This is how the idea for my first project came about: Crossing the Alps on one leg with crutches. As far as I know, no one has ever attempted this before. I wanted to take on the challenge and walk a longer tour of around 350 km and 35,000 metres in altitude through and across the Alps in July 2016. Everything was to be done with crutches. I also wanted to avoid mountain railways completely."

WHY IS SPORT SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
"Endurance, ambition and enjoyment of sport are very important to me, as is nature. I have incredible willpower and strong stamina. I set myself goals, work consistently towards them and then put them into practice. Sporting success is important to me, but I also see positive development and personal progress."

Doyou enjoy life a lot more than other people?
"I'm also sometimes trying out for myself what you can do as a disabled person. Many people don't dare to do extreme things or are afraid that something worse could happen to them. I think a little differently. As I've been through so many difficult times and hardships, I enjoy my life and live in the here and now."