Possibly unknown to many UK climbers but an important figure in the greater mountaineering world passed away a few days ago. A Swiss ski instructor and considered the father of "extreme" skiing, from the Spencer couloir on the Blaitiere and the Whymper on the Verte in the late 60s he progressed to the first ski descent of an 8000 meter peak (Gasherbrum) and numerous technical descents in Alaska and Canada. A truly inspirational figure and still skiing and guiding into his 80s. he even worked in Scotland for a while early in his career. Full obituaries in many of the quality papers (the only free one I could find was in the Financial Times!).
