Pierre Kohlmann

Pierre Kohlmann was a French mountaineer born on August 24, 1935; he died of exhaustion on July 16, 1961, at the age of 25, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Originally from the Paris region, Kohlmann completed several significant first ascents in the Alps and was a friend and climbing partner of Pierre Mazeaud. In the late 1940s, Kohlmann discovered rock climbing in the Fontainebleau forest alongside René Desmaison—who was five years his senior—while both were living in Antony, near Paris. In the spring of 1958, Kohlmann met Pierre Mazeaud; the two became friends and climbed together, notably at Le Saussois, where they established several new routes. It was there, in 1959, that they prepared for a successful first ascent—achieved with Desmaison and Bernard Lagesse—of the overhanging north face of the Cima Ovest in the Dolomites (the Couzy route). Kohlmann completed several first ascents in the Alps (often accompanied by Mazeaud) as well as in the Hoggar mountains. In the film industry, Kohlmann served as a stunt double for Jean Marais in various acrobatic scenes; in 1961, he led a team of mountaineers participating in the filming of the swashbuckler *Le Miracle des loups* (The Miracle of the Wolves) in the Jonte Gorges. Kohlmann was known for his altruistic and generous nature; a devout Christian, he was in the habit of praying at his bivouac in the evenings. He was involved with an association for blind youth, introducing them to rock climbing at Fontainebleau and mountain hiking. Kohlmann was hard of hearing and required a hearing aid; this posed a challenge for communication with his climbing partners, particularly when the device malfunctioned. In July 1961, alongside French climbers Pierre Mazeaud, Antoine Vieille, and Robert Guillaume—and joined by Italians Walter Bonatti, Andrea Oggioni, and Roberto Gallieni—Pierre Kohlmann attempted the first ascent of the Central Pillar of Freney on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. A storm halted their climb after they…

Known for

Acting

Born

1935-08-24 · Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Died

1961-07-16