The Piolet d’Or (Golden Ice Axe) is an international mountaineering award given for the most outstanding ascents of the year.
The Piolet d’Or (Golden Ice Axe) Prize in 2025 will be awarded to:
1. First ascent via the southwest ridge (1,670 m, 5.10 A0 M7 WI5) of Kanti Himal (6,859 m) in Nepal, October 15–21.
Mountaineers Spencer Gray and Ryan Griffiths (Matt Zia was originally with them, but he withdrew from the ascent for personal reasons).
They completed a traverse of the mountain and descended along the previously unclimbed northwest ridge. This is one of the most difficult routes in Western Nepal.
2. Gasherbrum III /Gasherbrum II (7952 m) is a peak located in the Gesherbrum massif of the Baltoro Muztagh range of the Karakoram mountain system. The summit is located between Gasherbrum II (8035 m) and Gasherbrum IV (7925 m).
First ascent via the west ridge of Gasherbrum III (altitude from base camp to summit is almost 3000 m), July 31 – August 4.
The traverse of the mountain was completed via the east face, and then via the classic route (southwest ridge) of Gasherbrum II. This was the second attempt by climbers Aleš Česen (Slovenia) and Tom Livingstone (UK).
3. Yashkuk Sar (6,667 m), Pakistani Karakoram (Americans August Franzen, Dane Steadman, and Cody Winkler).
First ascent of Yashkuk Sar, Batura Muztagh, via the northern pillar – the Tiger Lily buttress (2000 m, AI5+ M6 A0), September 19–23. Traverse and descent of the upper west face and lower north face.
A special mention in the Women’s Mountaineering category will be awarded to Anja Petek and Patricia Verdev for their first ascent of Lalung I in the Indian Himalaya.
The Piolet d’Or awards ceremony will be held in San Martino di Castrozza, Italy, from December 9 to 12, 2025.
News source: alp.org.ua