- Tanja Schmitt
- From: Cogne
- Ambassador since: 2019
- Outdoor activities: Climbing
Achievements:
- I’ve climbed about 1000 icefalls in my life, many as a season’s first ascent and at high difficulty.
- I have climbed Repentance, the legendary Icefall in Aosta Valley, “Hard Ice” direct, Tradimento, Glacenoste, and Cascade Veisivi, all 50 times each.
- In Norway, I have climbed Kjerrskredkvelven (one of the longest icefalls in the world) Fjånefossen, Svartberg, Stormbringer and many others.
- In the Canadian Rockies, I have climbed La Goutte WI6+, French Reality, Shooting Star......just to name a few.
- I’ve climbed many alpine routes and dry-tooled many M10s and M11.
Tanja Schmitt is a true specialist of the frozen vertical. Born in South Africa and raised in Germany, she eventually followed a childhood fascination with polar exploration to the icefalls of the world. Now calling Cogne, Italy, her home, Tanja has established herself as one of the most prolific ice climbers in the community, living a life where the "total winter" she once read about is a daily reality.
Where did you grow up?
South Africa and Taunus, Germany.
Activity
Ice Climbing.
What year did you join the Norrøna family?
2019.
What do you actively do to cut back on your carbon footprint?
I’ve been a vegetarian for over 25 years now and absolutely against the industrial mass production of meat, which has direct involvement in climate damage (next to prior, absolute unethical aspects). I also disagree with conventional industries that don’t take responsibility in a bigger context (socially and environmentally) and try to buy as ‘green’ products and ‘clean’ food as possible. In my opinion, climate protection is embedded in a much bigger context and needs a holistic approach and change in our thinking. Charles Eisenstein points away in his book, “Climate, A New Story'', a shift from a utilitarian worldview to an integral worldview that recognizes the deeper values of nature and life. On an everyday basis, I seldom need a car when I'm in Aosta Valley and have my playground close to the door.
Was there someone or some event that inspired you to get involved in your sport/activity?
I saw the image of 5 people, exhausted, marked, going through something much bigger than themselves: 5 guys in the middle of nothing. I was in third grade and instantly caught, although I knew nothing about it. Later I learned it was Robert Falcon Scott and I started to read all the stories about the big expeditions to the Polar regions. I became fascinated by the idea of ice, isolation, exploration, and total winter all day. That always stayed with me, even if it led me to ice climbing and winter mountaineering. In general, I’m inspired by good energies and good books.
Your favorite place in the world?
On steep ice, wherever it is.
What would be the theme song describing your life?
“Fast and Furious”.
If you could have dinner with 3 people (living or deceased) who would they be and why?
I like to have dinner with inspiring people- mostly fortune just brings them to your table quite unexpectedly.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?
I would renounce any superpowers and rather accept the human boundaries for the full human experience ;) But I love superpowers in movies.
What is a skill that everyone should master and why?
To overcome the body with the mind. We should not always believe our own thoughts and emotions but question them constantly, change perspective and be flexible.
What advice would you give your 10-year-old self?
Nothing is like it seems to be! It’s all confusing sometimes but the inner compass helps...
Can you recommend an adventure?
This ski tour can be done till the very end of spring. Its character is very homogeneous and straightforward. The first 500 vertical meters lead up the hiking path (usually Skis are carried on the pack) before switching to Skis at the old mountain pastures of Les Ors. The following north-facing slope is avalanche prone and can often be iced up in spring.
Tanja Schmitt in action
