Two climbers taking a selfie on a snowy mountain ridge, with stunning views of snow-covered peaks under a clear blue sky. Both are wearing helmets, sunglasses, and climbing gear, with one carrying a large orange backpack and the other a camera attached to their helmet.

Anja Petek & Patricija Verdev Honored by Piolets 2025

Anano Atabegashvili | October 13, 2025
News
Two climbers taking a selfie on a snowy mountain ridge, with stunning views of snow-covered peaks under a clear blue sky. Both are wearing helmets, sunglasses, and climbing gear, with one carrying a large orange backpack and the other a camera attached to their helmet.

Photo: Anja Petek

For 2025, the Piolets d’Or jury has awarded a Special Mention for Female Mountaineering to Slovenian climbers Anja Petek and Patricija Verdev for their remarkable first ascent of Lalung I (6,243m) in the Indian Himalaya. The awards ceremony will take place in San Martino di Castrozza, Italy, from 9–12 December 2025, marking the second year the Dolomites host this prestigious celebration of modern alpinism.

The Special Mention for Female Mountaineering is designed to promote female alpinism, recognizing either a remarkable all-female ascent from the previous year, multiple achievements by a female climber, or a female climber’s career. Last year, the award went to Italy’s Nives Meroi.

Petek and Verdev, part of a four-member all-female expedition, tackled Lalung I via the east ridge, naming their route “Here Comes the Sun”. The climb spanned 2,000 meters of technical terrain (M6+ AI5+) from September 9-14, 2024, including a complete traverse of the mountain.

The expedition faced significant challenges:

  • Advanced base camp at 4,800m in the remote Lalung Valley of the Zanskar Region.
  • Two nights trapped in the tent due to severe weather.
  • On the final evening, lost tent poles forced them to bivouac in sacs.
  • Summit day began under heavy mist, but they reached the top at 9 a.m. on September 14.
  • Descent included five rappels on the north face and a long trek back to base.
  • Base camp had faced nightly bear visits, which destroyed tents and stole food.

This ascent is notable not only for its technical difficulty and full traverse but also for its pure alpine style and strong commitment under adverse conditions, embodying the values of the Piolets d’Or.

Lalung I rises in a little-visited area of the Zanskar-Kishtwar boundary, near peaks like Chiling I & II and Lalung II & III. Before 2024, none of the Lalung peaks had documented ascents, and confusing naming and altitudes had complicated the record of climbs in the area. Petek and Verdev’s expedition helped map and establish the first verified ascent of Lalung I.

The Piolets d’Or jury, including Ethan Berman, Aymeric Clouet, Young Hoon Oh, Ines Papert, Enrico Rosso, Jack Tackle, and Mikel Zabalza, emphasized the expedition’s exploratory nature, technical skill, and alpine-style commitment. Their achievement provides a significant inspiration for female alpinists worldwide, reinforcing the importance of adventure, perseverance, and style in modern mountaineering.

Petek and Verdev’s feat not only highlights female excellence in high-altitude climbing but also stands as a model of courage, planning, and resilience in one of the most remote corners of the Indian Himalaya.