Christian Perktold had to leave us on March 8th 2006

Right after I came back from my trip to Nepal I was confronted with the sad news that one of my best friends, student-colleague and most frequent climbing partner, Christian Perktold had died in an avalanche. Christian was one of the most motivated, open minded and positive people in my cirque of friends and therefore I think it?s understandable that it took me a long time to cope with the first shock. I was told about this accident at the end or March and only now I feel good enough to go through all our good memories captured in the form of countless photographs.

No one else has accompanied me on my climbing trips as often as Christian and this is how I dare to say that we have not only lost one of the greatest climbing talents I have ever met, but also a true friend. Even though his climbing and skiing has always been very performance-oriented he knew how to live his life with all the relaxed, social and nature-related aspects.

May other people torture themselves with the question, if this tragic accident could have been avoided or not. To me, what matters is the fact that until he died Christian had and interesting, diverse and intense life that was totally focused on his goals in sports. And if I could choose what to do on my last day, I would probably also want to go skiing with my friends on a perfect powder day.

Armin Buchroithner