Davo Karnicar Skis Seven Summits
The latest reports out of Antarctica have Slovenian Davo Karnicar bagging Mt. Vinson on Dec. 1 thereby becoming the first to make complete ski descents from the world's seven tallest summits. Karnicar's criteria: keep his skis on until he reaches the base of the mountain or the snow runs out. The former World Cup alpine racer began his seven summits bid with a complete ski descent of Mt. Everest in 2000.
The following article appeared in BACKCOUNTRY, Oct. 2006.
Seventh Time’s a Charm
by Drew Pogge
“I am together with the mountains every day,” Slovenian ski mountaineer Davo Karnicar says. "It is key to my success.”
That's why he's on the verge of becoming the first person to ski from the highest point on each continent—only Antarctica's Mount Vinson remains.
Karnicar, 43, skied on the Slovenian national alpine team from 1975 to 1982 and began his peak-bagging project in 2000 with the first-ever full descent of Mount Everest. “Before Everest, I don’t plan on Seven Summits, but then I think others not so heavy, not so dangerous,” he says.
Apologizing for what he calls “expedition English” during a late July phone interview, Karnicar defines humble in spite of a resume that includes over 1,400 alpine climbs and descents since 1980. The father of three has an unabashed love and respect of both family and high places. “If I feel I can go higher, I go, if not, I stay at home with my children,” he says.
His wife Petra understands his high consequence profession. “I believe in him, I’m not scared when he goes, but always I pray hard he comes home” she laughs. “I can understand why he goes, I ski too, just not so high.”
With the ability to "walk with [his] skis from home," training for his December trip to Antarctica is simple: “I go to mountains and stay there long time. It is different than years ago. Before I cooperated with many trainers, now it’s more what I think is important.”
Should his Seven Summits quest be completed in December, Karnicar plans for still more adventure. “My plan is so that I go back to Himalaya,” he enthuses. “I know K2 is perfect for ski descent.”
The Seven Summits
Asia-Mount Everest, 29,035 ft.
South America-Aconcagua, 22,840 ft.
North America-Denali, 20,320 ft.
Africa-Kilimanjaro, 19,339 ft.
Europe-Mount Elbrus, 18,481 ft.
Antarctica-Vinson Massif, 16,065 ft.
Australia- Mount Kosciuszko, 7,310 ft.
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