#31 Thomas Huber - Finding Freedom in the Mountains, Discovering Self, and Embracing the Human Spirit Across Cultures

“The mountain always show you how far you can go, and how far you are allowed to go, because biggest success will be always not to reach the summit, to come back alive from expedition.”

Thomas Huber, a legendary alpinist and one half of the iconic Huber brothers is a prolific first ascensionist who has climbed some of the world’s most challenging mountains, including the Ogre, Cerro Torre, and the elusive Latok 1. He’s also made his mark on Yosemite Valley, where he and his brother Alex became part of the legendary “Stone Monkey” community, pioneering some of the most iconic routes on El Capitan. At almost 60, he’s still strong and was on his way to the Karakoram in Pakistan when we recorded this podcast. 

Listen in for surprising insights into his relationship with risk, his approach to training and recovery, and the profound impact of his experiences on his perspective on life, culture, and the planet. He's also received numerous awards recognizing his accomplishments and his dedication to the sport, including the Piolet d'Or, arguably the biggest honor in alpinism, as well as recognition from the American Alpine Club for his rescue efforts on Cerro Torre. 🏆 
 
 Thomas just wrote this amazing book, Freiheit: Freedom In The Mountains, chronicling his adventures!  Link to purchase below.  Tune in for:

• Finding Freedom and Purpose: Thomas shares how he overcame a childhood fear of the mountains, fueled by his father’s climbing accident, to find freedom and purpose in the natural world.  🧗‍♂️🏔️
  
  
• Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing Resilience: Thomas discusses his journey to overcome injuries and setbacks, reminding us that the human spirit is capable of enduring incredible challenges. 💪
  
  
• The Beauty and Power of the Mountains: He also discusses how the experience of climbing has shaped his understanding of the world, both physically and spiritually. 🏔️🙏
  
  
• Embracing Global Perspectives: Thomas describes his incredible adventures and interactions with diverse cultures across the Himalayas, and other corners of the globe, emphasizing the importance of understanding and connection across different backgrounds. 🌎🤝

References:

• Thomas Huber's book, Freiheit: https://www.diangelopublications.com/shop/p/freiheit
• The Huber brothers: https://huberbuam.de/en/home.html
• American Alpine Club: https://americanalpineclub.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25uj71FMzEtJZ05HLfk4e4gYOLkBFe19EFYPa-PyBjfWUBZsZLzxG4fchoCRR0QAvD_BwE

If you've enjoyed the show, please drop a quick review or rating on Spotify or Apple. It helps reach more listeners. I thank you mucho! 💜

🟢 Spotify

🎵Apple Music

▶️ YouTube

📸Instagram

💧Substack Blog