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…
After a long time, I am happy to welcome you back to my website. A lot has happened since my last post in the summer of 2019 when I summited Broad Peak, my sixth 8000m peak. We had the COVID-19 pandemic which kept me with my amazing…
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…
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…
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…
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 fromĂ‚Â Austria, Susanne from Germany, Dan…
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…
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 longĂ‚Â time for that distance). On Saturday, 18th June, I…
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…
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…
It has been a bit quiet in my lifeĂ‚Â recently but the snowless winter in SwitzerlandĂ‚Â in combinationĂ‚Â with office work doesĂ‚Â 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…
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 thatĂ‚Â hiking in all those areas isĂ‚Â beautiful and not in the slightestĂ‚Â affected by the earthquake; I biked…
If you have time - have a listen to an interview I did with Mtnmeister about my work with Miss Hawley, climbing and about life in general. To listen, click here. I hope you enjoy it!
It has been exactly one month since I got back to civilisation from Broad Peak and it almost took me as long toĂ‚Â regain my strength after this expedition. I don't think the actual climbing was any tougher than on the Nepal mountains, however, the rougher climate as…
It is almost 1am in Pakistan and my airport pick-up will be here in 2 1/2 hours. Yes, we are supposed to fly to Skardu at the ungodly hour of 5am - Inshallah - from where we will start our expedition to Broad Peak. Well, from where…
I have just boarded a plane to Pakistan - a work and climbing trip I had planned for quite a while. It has been very difficultĂ‚Â to leave Nepal behind, however, despite the dire situation there it wasĂ‚Â also good to see that rebuilding efforts wereĂ‚Â going on,Ă‚Â people were giving…
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…
I couldĂ‚Â not believe my eyes and ears when I found outĂ‚Â that the earth trembled again in Nepal on Tuesday, 12th May. RatherĂ‚Â 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…
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…
This is just a brief note to say that I am fine and I was not in Kathmandu when theĂ‚Â devastating earthquake hit Nepal. I have been able to contact some friends and as far as I know most of them are ok. My house is still standing…
It is 18th of April. Exactly one year ago today, I walked into Everest Base Camp already knowingĂ‚Â that a huge avalanche had come down the West Shoulder of Everest killingĂ‚Â more than a dozen Sherpas. I remember seeing the heliĂ‚Â flying up and down the Khumbu Icefall retrieving the…
I seem to have writtenĂ‚Â 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 quietĂ‚Â but then again I usually refrain…
It may sound strange to someone, who has never been to Pakistan, but it feelsĂ‚Â 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…
Time has flown since we left Shisha Pangma ABC exactly one week ago,Ă‚Â 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…
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…
Back at ABC For a more detailed report in German, please visitĂ‚Â 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…
We just got back from C1 at 6,400m. Even though Sisha Pangma is considered one of the easiest 8,000m peaks the distances are very long. Compared to Makalu, where a trip to crampon point (the place where you usually put on your big boots and your crampons)…
Robot: Lots of snow and drifting snow on Shishapangma which is making climbing high difficult for everybody. It needs patience. The team including Billi have been staying at Camp 1, and depending on conditions will move to Camp 2 tomorrow for a night or two then return…
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…
After our Air China plane had hobbled along the pothole-ridden runway of Kathmandu Tribuvhan airport, I was glad to be airborne and embark on my next adventure. I was travelling with Sergey Baranov from Russia, who was on Makalu with me this spring, and the two of…
