Alix von Melle

At first glance, Alix von Melle does not necessarily fit the usual image of a high-altitude or extreme mountaineer. With her petite stature and delicate facial features, the geography graduate from the far north does not look like an extreme sportswoman at all.

Alix has already climbed seven of the 14 eight-thousanders. And all without the use of artificial oxygen. When the athlete is not travelling on high mountains, she works as a freelance press officer.

Alix von Melle,

DO YOU HAVE AN IDOL YOU LOOK UP TO? WHO MOTIVATED YOU?
"I motivated myself, I wanted to start mountaineering myself. That's the biggest motivation for me, when you want to try something yourself, not because others want you to."

DO YOU REMEMBER A SPECIAL MOMENT WHEN YOU PASSED YOUR PERSONAL LIMITS?
"Climbing the south face of the Aconcagua! A vertical wall almost 3,000 metres high in the Andes. I managed it in the year 2000."

HOW WOULD YOU INSPIRE OTHERS TO START MOUNTAIN CLIMBING?
"You can recharge your batteries and switch off from everyday life by climbing mountains and being out in nature. But I think the most important thing is that everyone does what they feel most like doing. Above all, you should try out a sport for yourself, not because OTHERS want you to."