Drawn to the rocks
David Lama was born in 1990. His mom is an Innsbruck native and his dad a mountain guide from Nepal. David was five-years-old when Himalaya-veteran Peter Habeler first watched him climb. Afterwards, Habeler immediately called his parents to tell them that their boy had an unusual talent …
Going Vertical
Little David had no interest in hiking courses or Alpine Club activities; he wanted to go vertical from the get-go. At the indoor climbing gym he met his coach-to-be, Reini Scherer. David and the east-Tyrolean climbing-enthusiast Scherer are still a successful team today, 13 years later.
From the climbing gym ...
From the beginning, the climbing wall was the primary attraction for David, and the challenging competitions were just a part of the deal. David did indeed improve his technique unusually fast and with lots of talent at the indoor climbing gym. He quickly and safely mastered the slick walls and the colorful climbing holds.
... to the big rock faces
But he still didn’t want to pass on the real, dramatic challenges that can be achieved only when climbing real rock in the mountains. The ever-tighter training and competition schedule at the climbing gym correlated more and more to the outdoor mountain climbing. David balanced the athletic successes with Alpine pioneer achievements, like for example free climbing the “Desperation oft he Northface“ or first ascents at the Yosemite National Park and in Chile.
Centered
What makes David exceptional is his Buddhist calm and his flexible and confidant climbing style. The climbing scene has embraced him, and branch media and forums discuss and admire his skill and talent in climbing challenging routes in difficult terrain. This charismatic athlete is considered to be a pioneer of a new climber generation, who use technical perfection and exceptional physical strength to go places no one went before.
The overall experience
David congenially resists the temptation to make a show of his skills; he found his inner peace at the tender age of 19, and sees his top athletic achievements and the extreme Alpine adventures as simply a part of the big adventure Life. “It’s not about collecting achievements, it’s all about the experience”, David said.
"It's not about collecting achievements,
it's all about the experience."
Red Bull
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'12
After three years, David finally realizes his big dream …
"To me this first free ascent of the south east ridge of Cerro Torre is the end to the probably greatest adventure I experienced in my life so far. I’m especially proud having it done without adding any bolts. I learned a lot during the past years and climbing in this amazing mountain range has simply been great. Realizing dreams – it couldn’t be any better!"
'11
After 13 years on the competition circus, David takes a break to focus on his alpine adventures. In late February he and his partner Peter Ortner aid climb to the summit of Cerro Torre. Together they make another two Patagonian summits. Later this year David puts up a new route in the Kashmir-Himalaya and climbs twelve multipitch routes at 8a or harder.
'10
David and his partner Jorg Verhoeven make the first ascent at the 1100m long Brento Centro (8b). Two more multipich routes – Bellavista (8b+) and Voie Petit (8b) – follow.
David’s first book, “High - Genial unterwegs an Berg und Fels” is published this fall, and the first edition sells out within two months.
'09
After placing third at the World Championships in Xining, China, David starts to focus more on his expeditions. First he and three Swiss mountaineers travel to Kirgizstan to make the first free ascent of the Timofeev Route on the 4230m high Asan. At the end of the year, David launches his free climbing project of the Cerro Torre.
'08
1st place Overall World Cup
(Lead & Boulder)
1st place World Cup Reunion (FRA)
1st place World Cup Fiera (ITA)
1st place World Cup Imst (AUT)
David’s Alpine accomplishments are starting to be noticed by the international climbing community, like for example the first ascent of Desperation of the Northface in Valsertal, Austria, and the Footsy Variations during his first expedition to the Cochamó Valley in Chile.
'07
In Birmingham, David secured the European Championship title in bouldering. He is thereby the first climber to win the title in two different disciplines. Away from the climbing competitions, David spends more and more time in the mountains. He is getting to know and love the challenges of alpine adventures by making some impressive first ascents.
'06
At 15, David is allowed to enter the adult World Cup with a special permit. He places second at the debut in Puurs, Belgium. At the second World Cup competition, David wins, and is thereby the youngest World Cup winner in history. He goes on to win the European Championship in Russia, and places second in the overall World Cup. He also wins the Boulder World Cup in Hall, and is thereby the first and only climber to score wins in both disciplines during his rookie year.
'05
David keeps dominating his age group. He wins all contests but one, and wins the Junior World Champion title for the second time.
1st place Junior World Championships Peking (CHN)
1st place Jr. Euro Cup Imst (AUT)
1st place Jr. Euro Cup Genf (SUI)
1st place Jr. Euro Cup Penne (ITA)
1st place Jr. Euro Cup Kranj (SLO)
2nd place Jr. Euro Cup Brno (CZE)
1st place Ö-Cup Tivoli
1st place Ö-Cup Dornbirn
1st place Ö-Cup Rum
'04
'03
'02
'01
'00
'99
'98
For more than three years
I was driven by the idea of freeclimbing
the Compressor route on Cerro Torre
... and now this dream has become true!
Sportmagazin
SZ Magazin
Red Bulletin
Der Spiegel
Outside Magazine
"What's the challenge
in alpine climbing?"
Reaching the summit is the goal.
But reaching it in style
ist the challenge!
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