Juanito Oiarzabal

His success in the Himalayas is documented, but before starting on those ascents he had already accumulated an extensive resume in Spain. He undertook ascents on all the Spanish mountain masses, including technically demanding paths, and also several first ascents. He has extensive experience in climbing the Alps, undertaking climbs for the technical challenges they presented. In addition to his climbs in the Alps, he has climbed in North America, South America, and Africa. To date, he has participated in 35 Himalayan expeditions over a period of 23 years. == Mountaineering curriculum ==

Alaska • 1984 – Denali ( known also as McKinley) () – West Buttress Route. Argentina • 1983 – Aconcagua () – 5th world winter ascent (he has accredited 16 ascents to the Aconcagua, as a "guide"). Kenya • 1988 – Mount Kenya – Diamond Corridor. Nepal • 1982 – Kangchuntse (Makalu II) (). Altitude reached: . • 1988 – Kangchenjunga (). North side. Altitude reached: . • 1989 – Makalu (). West Pillar. Altitude reached: . • 1990 – Everest (). Southwest side. Altitude reached: . • 1991 – Kangchenjunga (). North side. Altitude reached: . • 1993 – Everest (). South-Southeast Route - crest. Summit. • 1995 – Makalu (). Normal route. Summit. • 1995 – Lhotse (). Normal Route. Summit. • 1996 – Kangchenjunga (). North side. British route. Summit. • 1997 – Manaslu (). Normal route. Summit. • 1998 – Dhaulagiri (). Normal route. Summit. • 1999 – Annapurna (). German route. Summit. • 2002 – Makalu (). West pillar. Altitude reached: . • 2004 – Ama Dablam (). Southwestern sharp edge. Summit. • 2008 – Makalu (). Normal route. Summit. • 2009 – Kangchenjunga (). Normal route. Summit. • 2010 – Annapurna (). Summit (helicopter used on descent, expedition death of Tolo Calafat). • 2011 – Lhotse (). Summit. China • 1985 – Cho-Oyu (). Normal route. Summit. • 1998 – Shisha Pangma (). Southwest side. British route. Summit. • 2000 – Everest (). North side. Altitude reached: (without O2). • 2001 – Everest (). North side. Summit (without O2). • 2002 – Cho-Oyu (). Normal route. Summit. • 2003 – Cho-Oyu (). Normal route. Summit (23 September). • 2003 – Cho-Oyu (). Normal route. Summit (5 October). China (autonomous region of Xinjiang) • 2000 – Taklamakan desert crossing, (desert, within the Gobi desert), only with the help of camels. Greenland • 2000 – Crossing between the localities of Narsasoak and Kangarlosoak () on a sleigh, pulled by a kite. Russia • 2001 – Mount Elbrus () Normal route. Winter. The highest European summit. ==Awards and distinctions==

• In his role as an expert, he has participated in several mountain rescue activities, receiving recognition for them. • He is a Member of Honour of different mountaineering clubs. • He is a Member of the Basque Mountaineering Club. • He is a climbing professor. • He is a professor of the Basque Mountaineering School (EVAM) • Mountaineering Guide, Member of the International Union of Mountaineering Guide Associations (UIAGM). • Golden Insignia from the Basque Mountaineering Federation. • Member of the "Comité de Patronage du Cinquantenaire de l'Annapurna" in 2000. • Member of Honor of the Spanish Geography Society. • Nominated for the "Prince of Asturias" Award for Sports in 1999. • Finalist for the "Prince of Asturias" Award for Sports in 2001. • According to the Mundo Deportivo newspaper, he is among the 20 most important Spanish sportsmen of the century. • Golden Medal for Sports Merit, awarded by the Spanish government in 1999. • On the proposal of the editors of Basque jeans of communication, the Basque Government awarded him the distinction of Universal Basque Citizen in the year 2000. That year the Jesuit, Ion Sobrino (standard-bearer of the freedom theology in El Salvador), also won the award, which had previously been won by Etxenike, Oteiza and Chillida. • Member of Honour of the Spanish Exploration and Adventure Cub. • The sports newspaper Marca awarded him its maximum prize: Marca de Leyenda (Legendary Mark), a distinction that only a handful of elite sportsmen around the world have. • In recognition of his sports achievements, he has been officially received by outstanding officials and personalities: The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, Diputación Foral de Álava, the Lehendakari (Basque President), the former Spanish prime Minister (José María Aznar) and the King of Spain, Juan Carlos de Borbón. • He was Guest of Honor at the activities organised by the French Government on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the conquering of Annapurna, invited by its President Jacques Chirac. He was also a member of the activities Committee. • In 2005 he was awarded the FCG International Award for Sports by the Fundación Cristóbal Gabarrón. == Books ==

Juanito Oiarzabal has published four books: • • • • == Audiovisual productions ==

• He has undertaken 16 audiovisual productions that have been used to promote mountaineering, offering prestige to this sport at all levels and setting a high standard for both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Alava. • On TVE, he filmed his ascent of Annapurna for the Al filo de lo imposible (On the Edge of the Impossible) television program. • He has also recorded many programs, such as the one he did on Everest, recreating the story of Mallory and Irvine who disappeared in 1924 while they tried to reach the summit. • On the public Basque broadcasting corporation's ETB2 TV channel, he has featured as team leader in several instalments of ''The conqueror of the world's end'', an adventure reality show located in Patagonia (Argentina). ==References==