Stephan Siegrist grew up in a village in Switzerland from which he could see The Alps. photo: visualimpact.ch | Thomas Senf

LIKE MANY growing up in Switzerland, Stephan Siegrist was born with a passion and enthusiasm for the mountains. He started out as a mountain guide in his 20s and today his impressive CV includes making first ascents on all seven continents.

In this exclusive interview Stephan tells us what it is about the mountains and climbing that make him tick and also looks back at some of the highlights of his career to date.

Read on to find out all about his love of basejumping and the inspirational film he’s been a part of which is released later this year. 

Tell us a bit about where you grew up and how it helped to inspire your career?

I was born and raised in Switzerland, ironically not in the mountains… but I could see them in the distance from the small village where I grew up. Growing up in Switzerland has definitely had an influence on my career for many reasons, the role the mountains play in people’s lives, the close proximity to the Alps and some of the classics like the Eiger and Matterhorn. Mountaineering is also a part of Swiss culture and it’s also something people take part in with enthusiasm. My mentor on that time was Xavier Bongard. At this time one of the strongest Alpinists… and very funny guy.

Stephan started working as a mountain guide in his early 20s. Here he is pictured  on his first ascent of Te, Kashmir Himalaya. photo: visualimpact.ch | Thomas Senf

When did you start working as a mountain guide and what was your previous climbing experience?

I started working as a mountain guide in my early 20s. By that time I had already climbed the three big North Faces Les Grands Jorasse, Eiger and Matterhorn, numerous classics in the Alps. I spent a lot of time in the different disciplines like ice climbing, dry tooling, sport climbing, aid climbing and had already been on expeditions.

How does it feel to have made first ascents on all seven continents?

Its been a great privilege to be able to travel and climb like I have been doing for over twenty years. I didn’t plan making first ascents on all seven continents… its just worked out that way!

Stephan is known for his flair across a number of climbing disciplines. Here he is pictured on his first ascent of Kistwar Shivling East, Kashmir Himalaya. photo: visualimpact.ch | Thomas Senf

What other achievements would you rank among your greatest and are there any challenges you’d like to conquer in the future?

The first ascent on Arwa Tower North face is one of those. Also when we seven days in the Wall or Thalay Sagar North-West Butteres and the first winter ascent of the three Torres in Patagonia (Cerro Torre, Torre Egger and Cerro Standarth). First ever ascent of Spear, Tupendeo and Te in Kashmir, Himalaya. But also first ascents on the Eiger Northface Young Spider, La vida es silver and la Patiencia.

What is it about climbing that makes you tick?

Its the adventure. The challenge between mental and physical strength. Try to push your own limit and have unforgettable moments with my friends. The Kultur and people in other countries. In this 20 years I have always tried to stick to my philosophy about climbing. Aesthetic beautiful, technical challenging mountains, far away from civilisation.

You are known for your flair across a range of climbing types. In which discipline(s) do you think you excel and which do you find the hardest?

I do not find I excel in one of the disciplines – I just find it interesting try to be good in the different disciplines. This knowledge gives me a good level for unclimbed mountains on expeditions.

Stephan also has a passion for basejumping, photo: visualimpact.ch | Thomas Senf

Tell us about your passion for basejumping and what are some of the most memorable base jumps you have done?

Its defentilty the Eiger Mushroom jump. Over the years, I spent so many days and nights in the Eigernorthface during first ascents. The combination form the two elements earth and sky – do a first red point of a hard route and jump from the point you exit – it couldn’t happen from a better place. So over the years I jumped from the Eiger many times and it;s just a great spot to jump in wonderful scenery.

Tell us about your film projects and in particular the one you’re currently working on. When will it be released and what can our readers expect?

Right now we are working on a documentary about Kashmir, Himalaya . The story about our last trip and the three first ascents. But even more about an English expedition from 1993. We only found out about this after we first climbed Tupendeo. A horrible accident happened at that time. Thanks to Stephen Venables, Lindsay Griffin and Simon Richards we got the contact from Jonathan Bamber. He was badly injured at that time and survived a multi-day rescue. He still suffers from this accident today. I am looking very forward to meeting Jonathan in England. The film will be released in October.