Jost Kobusch’s solo Everest in winter: “It will take time, but I will be back”

©Coll. Jost Kobusch

Jost Kobusch’s quest is a singular and long one. For almost six years, the young German mountaineer has been attempting to climb the world’s highest peak, Everest, alone and in winter, via the little-used West Ridge route. After reaching the highest altitude ever attained by these extreme standards (7537 m), Kobusch finally put an end to his expedition on the 11th of January. Where does his stubbornness come from? How does he manage the contradiction of a solitary ascent with the steady rhythm of his social medias’ posts? Does he really hope to reach 8848 m one day? We asked him all these questions, and more.

The quest you began 5 years ago is more a quest for a path than for a summit? 

Jost Kobusch : Of course, the goal is to reach the summit and climb Everest in winter, alone, without oxygen, via the West Ridge. But my main aim is to become the best mountaineer I can be. For me, it’s about acquiring the skills to realize this long-term project. So, in a way, it’s a transformation.

The journey is ultimately the goal. I’m curious about what I can achieve as an athlete, as a human being, and I’m curious about what’s waiting for me up there. Nobody knows, because nobody has climbed this high in winter. This time, I’ve just managed to take a few more steps into the unknown, and there’s still a lot to discover.

Jost Kobusch, very enthusiastic after reaching the western