VADIM DRUELLE - ALPINISME
Presentation
Vadim, a child of the mountains
Born in the Chablais in November 2001, surrounded by his sister and his parents, who are both mountain guides, Vadim grew up in a chalet nestling in the heart of the Roc d'Enfer mountain pastures.
From an early age, Vadim learnt about endurance and perseverance by living with the advantages and constraints of a mountain chalet (walking 400m to school on snowshoes in winter, for example). By accompanying his parents on excursions with clients, taking part in ski clubs and hiking as a family, he developed real physical fitness and a pure mountain mentality. By the age of 10, he was able to carry crystals in his rucksack during a tour of Mont Blanc.
Born in the Chablais in November 2001, surrounded by his sister and his parents, who are both mountain guides, Vadim grew up in a chalet nestling in the heart of the Roc d'Enfer mountain pastures.
From an early age, Vadim learnt about endurance and perseverance by living with the advantages and constraints of a mountain chalet (walking 400m to school on snowshoes in winter, for example). By accompanying his parents on excursions with clients, taking part in ski clubs and hiking as a family, he developed real physical fitness and a pure mountain mentality. By the age of 10, he was able to carry crystals in his rucksack during a tour of Mont Blanc.
His passion for stones and crystals has grown over the years, as has his taste for challenges. Vadim has developed a genuine dialogue with the mountains, learning to understand, respect and even listen to them. Very attached to his home region of Chablais, he alternates between training and competitions in ski mountaineering and cross-country skiing, and is interested in all things manual and historical. He chose to study metalwork and became a stonemason at the last underground slate mine in Morzine. As time went by, Vadim took up mountaineering, climbing several 4,000-metre peaks, making day-long ascents such as the Dent Blanche and Mont Blanc (which he had already done several times), and undertaking major treks in France and abroad. His parents taught him the basics of safety, humility, resourcefulness and the importance of travelling light and with the essentials.
Inspired by iconic figures such as Reinhold Messner, Vadim embarked on his Himalayan adventure in 2021, following the alpine style that is so dear to him: setting off alone, without oxygen tanks, fixed ropes or Sherpas, and in one go from base camp to the summit. In September 2021, at the age of 19, he reached the summit of Manaslu, becoming the youngest person ever to climb an 8,000-metre peak in this way, illustrating his convictions in favour of pure mountaineering.
After two failed attempts on Lhotse and Dhaulagiri in 2022, he followed this up in May 2023 with an ascent of Kangchenjunga (8586 m), establishing a world first of a single ascent. Between 10 and 28 July 2024, as part of his Thor project, he climbed Nanga Parbat (8126 m), followed by Gasherbrum II (8035 m) and Gasherbrum I (8080 m), setting new records.
Today, at the age of 23, Vadim is still happy to be back in his chalet, which he has adorned himself with stones he has found around his home. After bringing a menhir back to his garden to immortalise his first 8000m (Manaslu), what will Vadim's next folly be?
Vadim sees his future as continuing to practise traditional mountaineering with an ethical approach, hoping to inspire many other enthusiasts.
His goal: to climb 14 peaks over 8000m in accordance with his values and principles, and to obtain his mountain guide diploma.
After two failed attempts on Lhotse and Dhaulagiri in 2022, he followed this up in May 2023 with an ascent of Kangchenjunga (8586 m), establishing a world first of a single ascent. Between 10 and 28 July 2024, as part of his Thor project, he climbed Nanga Parbat (8126 m), followed by Gasherbrum II (8035 m) and Gasherbrum I (8080 m), setting new records.
Today, at the age of 23, Vadim is still happy to be back in his chalet, which he has adorned himself with stones he has found around his home. After bringing a menhir back to his garden to immortalise his first 8000m (Manaslu), what will Vadim's next folly be?
Vadim sees his future as continuing to practise traditional mountaineering with an ethical approach, hoping to inspire many other enthusiasts.
His goal: to climb 14 peaks over 8000m in accordance with his values and principles, and to obtain his mountain guide diploma.