The book is out!

After a year of writing down the colourful tales of my life together with Karin Steinbach, the book is finally out! It has been a wonderful journey, and even though I was initially reluctant to write a book, I am now very grateful that I have. The…

WeiterlesenThe book is out!

Long time, no post

I know I have been incredibly bad at keeping this website alive. That's all thanks to the social media like Facebook and Instagram, where it seems so much easier to quickly post something quickly. However, I will try and get better after my upcoming expedition to Dhaulagiri…

WeiterlesenLong time, no post
Read more about the article Himalayan Database available for free from November
The Himalayan Database Team (Tobias, Billi, Jeevan and Rolo)

Himalayan Database available for free from November

Hi all It is already mid-October and the first half of the autumn climbing season is nearly over. I guess we have just seen a record season on Manaslu, the 8th hihgest mountain in the world, and my wild guess is that the success rate will be…

WeiterlesenHimalayan Database available for free from November
Read more about the article Presentation on the Himalayan Database
A bond that has lasted for 13 years, and was not always easy!

Presentation on the Himalayan Database

In case you happen to be in Bavaria at the end of November, speak German and want to know more about Miss Elizabeth Hawley, my work with her and the Himalayan Database, the development of commercial mountaineering in Nepal and what a proper commercial Everest expedition looks…

WeiterlesenPresentation on the Himalayan Database
Read more about the article In Tingri on the way to Cho Oyu
Planking above Tingri

In Tingri on the way to Cho Oyu

This is just a short update to let you know that our group have made it to Tingri at 4,350m above sea level and we are on our way to Cho Oyu base camp. Our expedition consists of Thomas from Switzerland, Stefan from Austria, Susanne from Germany, Dan…

WeiterlesenIn Tingri on the way to Cho Oyu
Read more about the article Back in Kathmandu and off to Cho Oyu
On our beautiful terrace in Garmisch with my mum and my sister.

Back in Kathmandu and off to Cho Oyu

Summer in Europe is almost over, I am back in Kathmandu trying to hunt down expeditions for the Himalayan Database and at the same time I am getting ready for my attempted climb of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world. Cho Oyu (8,188m) lies…

WeiterlesenBack in Kathmandu and off to Cho Oyu
Read more about the article A long run around Germany’s highest mountain
Waving my friend Elke goodbye at the start.

A long run around Germany’s highest mountain

I am slowly recovering from something I think was probably one of the hardest things I have done in my life - run 101.6km around the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze, in 23.36.57 (I did take a long time for that distance). On Saturday, 18th June, I…

WeiterlesenA long run around Germany’s highest mountain
Read more about the article Biking in Yunnan Province in China
From left: Echo, Billi, Zaraka, Cathy and the amazing Pat

Biking in Yunnan Province in China

I have just found out that my website must have been infected with some nasty virus as my sister told me that she got a warning that it was 'malware' when she tried to log on. Thanks to my webmaster and friend Richard Bull, the site is…

WeiterlesenBiking in Yunnan Province in China
Read more about the article Running, rambling and roaming for expeditions
Miss Hawley and I talking about the upcoming season (@Dan Patucci)

Running, rambling and roaming for expeditions

After I had to join Facebook during the earthquake in Nepal (that's where most of the information on what was happening and where was exchanged) I seem to have become quite lazy at updating my website. So, apologies for that. As you may have gathered I am…

WeiterlesenRunning, rambling and roaming for expeditions
Read more about the article Interview with Talk Travel Asia
Talking to a couple from Iraq

Interview with Talk Travel Asia

It has been a bit quiet in my life recently but the snowless winter in Switzerland in combination with office work does not really lend itself to exciting stories - or stories I am allowed to tell. The mountains seem very far away at the moment as I am supporting the…

WeiterlesenInterview with Talk Travel Asia

Trekking, biking, blockading and perservering

It has been a while since I last updated my website and a lot has happened since then. I went trekking to Naar and Phu with my friend Baba and discovered that hiking in all those areas is beautiful and not in the slightest affected by the earthquake; I biked…

WeiterlesenTrekking, biking, blockading and perservering
Read more about the article Leaving Nepal with a heavy heart
Candles at Boudha

Leaving Nepal with a heavy heart

I have just boarded a plane to Pakistan - a work and climbing trip I had planned for quite a while. It has been very difficult to leave Nepal behind, however, despite the dire situation there it was also good to see that rebuilding efforts were going on, people were giving…

WeiterlesenLeaving Nepal with a heavy heart
Read more about the article Kathmandu – one month on
Many of the brick buildings have been reduced to rubble

Kathmandu – one month on

This is just a short update on the situation in Nepal - or rather Kathmandu. I have been back for one week now and it is great to see that everyone around me is somehow involved in the relief efforts. No matter whether it is coordinating; procuring…

WeiterlesenKathmandu – one month on
Read more about the article Another earthquake in Nepal and how to help
Rebuilding this country will take a long time

Another earthquake in Nepal and how to help

I could not believe my eyes and ears when I found out that the earth trembled again in Nepal on Tuesday, 12th May. Rather than feeling helpless and bemused that for the second time, I was not in the country during the earthquake, I now appeal to you to support…

WeiterlesenAnother earthquake in Nepal and how to help
Read more about the article Earthquake in Nepal – Update
Helpers putting together water purification kits to distribute to the villages (Helen Clemet)

Earthquake in Nepal – Update

More than two weeks ago I received an sms from my friend Monica, who was on the North side of Everest, saying: "Billi, the earth is shaking and I have a feeling that it is really bad in Nepal." I immediately went on the net and information…

WeiterlesenEarthquake in Nepal – Update
Read more about the article Rainy spring season
One of the teams going to Everest South

Rainy spring season

It is 18th of April. Exactly one year ago today, I walked into Everest Base Camp already knowing that a huge avalanche had come down the West Shoulder of Everest killing more than a dozen Sherpas. I remember seeing the heli flying up and down the Khumbu Icefall retrieving the…

WeiterlesenRainy spring season
Read more about the article Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The Garmisch-P. mountains in the mist before the snow came on Christmas Day

Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I seem to have written the word 'apologies' rather often lately but I have just noticed that I have not posted anything since I first got to Islamabad in early October this year. So there you go - apologies for being so quiet but then again I usually refrain…

WeiterlesenBelated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Read more about the article Early morning runs in Islamabad
6.30am on my run through Jinnah Park in the middle of Islamabad

Early morning runs in Islamabad

It may sound strange to someone, who has never been to Pakistan, but it feels great to be back in Islamabad, where I have lived on and off previously. And even though I have only been back for less than one week, I already feel well-ensconced in my…

WeiterlesenEarly morning runs in Islamabad

Off to Islamabad

Time has flown since we left Shisha Pangma ABC exactly one week ago, and I cannot believe I am already en route to Islamabad, where I will be working for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid for one month. The events of the past two weeks seem almost blurred and…

WeiterlesenOff to Islamabad

Shishapangma avalanche, Billi safe

Robot: You may have heard or seen news of an avalanche on Shishapangma on 24 September, which very sadly took several young lives. Billi just reported briefly from Zhangmu as she returns to Kathmandu, possibly today (30th). You'll have a much fuller report of the happenings The…

WeiterlesenShishapangma avalanche, Billi safe
Read more about the article Shishapangma update 22nd September
Suzanne, Billi und Christof im Eisbruch

Shishapangma update 22nd September

Back at ABC For a more detailed report in German, please visit www.kobler-partner.ch.After three windy nights on the mountain, we are back at the comfortable altitude of 5,700m at our ABC, which feels great. I don’t know why some people claim that Shisha Pangma is the easiest 8,000m-peak…

WeiterlesenShishapangma update 22nd September

Stuck in Tingri

We are actually supposed to be at Shisha Pangma BC already but Sergey's gear did not arrive yesterday as scheduled. I guess this is the beauty about travelling in these countries as nothing ever goes to plan and improvising is required. Well i I guess it's also…

WeiterlesenStuck in Tingri