Peter Schoitsch

My name is Peter Schoitsch, I am 25 years old and I am a passionate alpinist.

At the moment, I am working in the semiconductor industry as a test engineer to be able to finance all my hobbies.

I grew up in a valley in Carinthia where my father always took me and my sister into the mountains. I reached my first documented summits at the age of 4 years. Around the same time, I also started climbing, competitive skiing and ski jumping. Between the ages of 14 and 20 I was also playing in the local basketball league. I continued non-stop with all kinds of mountain sports and completed my first “higher” summit, the Großglockner, at only 14 years of age.

The real kick off in my mountain/athletic career happened when I was doing basic military service and met my current climbing partner Gerald Kahlbacher. Together we reached a great number of peaks. I coached him in sports and alpine climbing until we were both on the same level and able to attempt the most challenging mountains. In 2016 we both decided to become certified as “high alpine tour instructors” to lead tours with other climbers.  During this time, I learned the basics and best-known methods for alpine climbing, ice climbing, glacier crossings, guiding people, and rescue techniques. With this knowledge and training, even the most difficult mountain activities became possible.

Gerald and I were invited to be part of the “Team Alpin” of the Carinthian Naturfreunde, which is a group of mountaineers with varying levels of skills. Together we completed a number of tours, expeditions, summits, and hikes, such as the Matterhorn traverse and the Ortler traverse. Most recently we were in the Swiss Alps with our “Team Alpin” and summited 11 peaks above 4000m over the course of a few days. This marked the last tour with our team’s current leader, as at the end of this year I will take over the leadership of the group. Besides mountaineering my other passions are mountain biking and motorbiking. These are leisurely activities, when I am taking a break from climbing mountains.

Currently my long-term goal is to become an Austrian Mountain Guide. The next entrance exam is in January – that’s what I train for.