Reinhold Messner
1944– · Italian/South Tyrolean (Brixen) · Modern Era
Known for: Greatest mountaineer in history—first to summit Everest without oxygen, first to solo Everest without oxygen, first to climb all 14 eight-thousanders
Messner revolutionized high-altitude mountaineering by proving Everest could be climbed without supplemental oxygen—a feat physiologists said was impossible. He lost his brother Günther on Nanga Parbat and his toes to frostbite.
He was the first to climb all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, crossed Antarctica and the Gobi on foot, and established the Messner Mountain Museum chain. He served in the European Parliament and is widely considered the greatest mountaineer who has ever lived.
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