Matthias Gribi, Hugo Béguin and Nathan Monard received one of the most prestigious distinctions in the world of mountaineering on Tuesday: the Piolet d’or. In 2023, the three young people from French-speaking Switzerland achieved the feat of conquering the north face of the “Flap Top”, a Himalayan mountain culminating at 6,100 meters.
At the height of their twenty years (or a little more), the Genevan Matthias Gribi (24), the Neuchâtelois Hugo Béguin (25) and the Vaudois Nathan Monard (28) won the moon. Or almost.
In autumn 2023, these three French-speaking mountaineers set out to attack the Flat Top, a peak culminating at 6,100 meters above sea level, somewhat hidden in the Himalayan massif of Kishtwar. A first, since the mountain has only been climbed once in 1980, and by an easier route.
For having completed this “elegant and technically difficult line” in a region “little visited over the last 40 years”, the trio is rewarded at the Piolets d’or 2024 – the Oscars of the mountain – which are being held this week in Trentino.
“It was really a surprise, a nice surprise,” smiles Neuchâtel resident Hugo Béguin.
A night in balance
The challenge was not won in advance, however. It will take four days for the three friends to overcome it, on October 6, 2023.
“We took one or two days to scout the face from different angles (…) and there was a fairly logical line that quickly stood out,” says the youngest of the three, Matthias Gribi.
The path they take has its share of surprises in store. “It’s the unknown,” summarizes Nathan Monard. In particular, they will spend a night a few centimeters from the void, on a tiny rocky overhang, because they were “surprised to find themselves there at that time”. They had no choice, there was “nowhere to pitch the tent”.
“Perfect Alpine style”
In addition to the sporting feat, the golden ice ax also rewards the “perfect alpine style” of this climb. A particular ethic, essential for these mountain lovers.
“Everyone has the pleasure of climbing,” comments Nathan Monard. A philosophy that contrasts with the Himalayan style, “where the first climbs and the others follow, pulling themselves up on the rope”, explains the man who is also a mountain guide.
A more “ecological” method as well, since the climbers carry their food, their bivouac and leave “nothing in place” behind them.
This ultimate reward will therefore not fail to encourage these young mountain lovers and hopefuls of Swiss mountaineering. For Matthias, a new expedition is already planned. And all three are already planning to go back together one day.
Subject TV: Elodie Botteron
Adaptation web: Doreen Enssle
