„In climbing I have found happiness.“ Ines Papert
Ines Papert was born in Wittenberg in 1974 right in the middle of Saxony’s flat plains far away from any mountains. The family spent their yearly skiing holidays in the Krkonoše mountain range (Giant Mountains), but Ines‘ alpinist ambitions were mediocre at the time. When it started snowing she was the first to run back to the hut. Back then she was way more fascinated with music so nothing indicated the path she would one day follow.
In the early ninetys in the former GDR all sings were directed to opening to the West Ines was drawn in this direction as well. As a fledgling physical therapist Ines got a job in Berchtesgaden and suddenly found herself living next to the Alps. It started rather harmlessly: going on hikes, mountain biking after work and ski touring on weekends.
Ice is her best friend
Ines‘ first climbing experience made a large impact and it was this combination of exertion and exitement that would grip her forever. She developed incredible ambition and great talent. Her routes of choice became longer, steeper and harder.
Her first contact with ice climbing ended with a bloody nose. It took some time before the love-hate relationship turned into a deep and passionate friendship. In 2001 Ines won the overall World Cup in Ice Climbing. She gave up her profession and started her successful career as a climbing professional.
Balancing act as mother and climbing pro
In 2000 Ines‘ son Emanuel was born. Like many mothers, it was the highlight of her life but no reason to quit climbing. Ines Papert is a woman who wants both: a family AND a job. She is a four time winner of the World Ice climbing Championships and was a young mother before she said goodbye to competition climbing. Since then she focuses on other new projects. Now it’s the high mountains and exposed summits that magically call out to her. Expeditions lure her to the most remote places on earth.
