Silvo Karo

Silvo Karo (born December 22, 1960) is a Slovenian mountaineer. He has climbed over 2,000 routes and has made more than 300 first ascents on mountains around the world, from Patagonia, to the Alps to the Himalayas in a mountaineering career that has spanned over 40 years. Alongside Janez Jeglič - Johan and Franček Knez he was noted for ushering in a new golden age of Slovenian mountaineering. In 2022, he was awarded the Piolet d'Or for lifetime achievement.

Climbing career

Karo began climbing in 1976, with a climb on Triglav in the Julian Alps with a local priest.

Later years In 2010, he received the Order of Merit from the President of Slovenia in honor of his contribution to Slovenian mountaineering and image abroad. He is an honorary member of the Alpine Club. In 2018, his autobiography entitled Rock'n' Roll on the Wall was published. In 2022, he became the second Slovenian alpinist to receive the Piolets d'Or for lifetime achievement.

Notable climbs

1983: Fitz Roy, east face, new route, Devil’s Dihedral (6a A2 90°). 1985: Yalung Kang, north face, new route, reached 8,100m. Grandes Jorasses, north face, third ascent of Rolling Stones (6b A3 80°) 1986: Cerro Torre, east face, new route, Hell’s Direct (7a A4 M6 95°) Broad Peak, normal route. Torre Egger, southeast face, new route, Psycho Vertical (6c A3 90°). 1987: Lhotse Shar, southeast ridge, reached 7,300m 1987–88. Cerro Torre, south face, new route (6b A4 75°) 1990: Bhagirathi III, west face, new route (6b A4 85°). Everest, west ridge to 7,500m 1993: El Capitan, Wyoming Sheep Ranch (5.10 A5) 1996: Nalumasortoq, new route, Mussel Power (7a A3). El Capitan, Salathé Wall in 10h 25min. Half Dome, Direct Northwest Face, 11h 20mins (speed record at that time) 1997: El Capitan, West Face (5.11c) in eight hours car to car 1999: Fitz Roy, west face, Ensueno, second overall and first free ascent (6b+ obl 45°). Fitz Roy, Slovak Route, alpine style with new variation from Glaciar Torre (6c 40°) 2000: La Esfinge, Cordillera Blanca new route, Cruz del Sur (7b) 2002: Grand Pilier d’Angle, Divine Providence to Mont Blanc summit 2003: Cerro Murallón, first ascent of main summit 2005: Cerro Torre, southeast ridge, new route, Slovenian Sit Start (in a single push of 28 hours; 7a A2 70°). 2006: Trango Towers, Eternal Flame, first one-day ascent (7a A2 M5) 2009: Tofana di Rozes, south face, Goodbye 1999 (7b on sight, repeat).