Honorary Member of the Alpine Club

Marko Prezelj, member of PD Kamnik, top alpinist and leader of the Slovenian youth alpinist national team, became in

early December an honorary member of the Alpine Club. He was nominated for honorary membership by president

Mick Fowler, an excellent alpinist himself.

The Alpine Club (AC) is the oldest mountaineering organization in the world, founded in 1857 in London, where it still has

its headquarters today. They have strict requirements for admitting their members. A regular member can become an alpinist who has

climbed at least 20 respectable alpine routes.

For honorary members, however, the criterion is much stricter. Marko's expeditions, climbed routes, especially his climbing style –

leaving no traces behind in the walls, received two golden ice axes (Piolets d'Or), the highest recognition in the world

of alpinism, and his clear thinking about the importance of alpinism have been carefully followed in AC as well. President

AC Mick Fowler nominated him for honorary membership, an excellent alpinist himself.

In a short explanation, they wrote: "Marko has been awarded honorary membership in recognition of his exceptional

contribution to alpinism and mountain exploration."

This is a great moment for both Marko and Slovenian alpinism and the Alpine Association of Slovenia, where Marko Prezelj leads

the Slovenian youth alpinist national team of young excellent alpinists established this year.

Upon awarding honorary membership to Marko Prezelj, president of the Alpine Club Mick Fowler said among other things:

"Marko is almost unique in that we awarded him honorary membership while he is still an active leading

alpinist."

A longer explanation was given by one of the guest speakers of the Alpine Club: "Marko is one of the best

alpinists in the world. In his more than 20-year rich alpinist career, he received two golden ice axes (Piolets d'Or) and

achieved a series of world-recognized ascents in alpine style. From the incredible south ridge of Kangchenjunga

(Kangchenjunga) in 1991 to the magnificent northwest pillar on Chomolhari in 2006 … he always climbed in

pure style and without leaving traces behind."

On this occasion, Marko humbly said: "I accepted the invitation primarily as a worthy tribute to Slovenian alpinism, from

which I come. Accordingly, I also presented the characteristics (of Slovenian) alpinism."

Two years ago, another top Slovenian alpinist Silvo Karo was admitted among the honorary members of the Alpine Club.

Among the previous honorary members are the greatest world alpinist names: Riccardo Cassin (Italy), Jeff Lowe and Tom

Hornein (both USA), Hamish McInnes (Scotland), Tom Nakamura (Japan), Peter HAbeler (Austria) and Erhard

Loretan (Switzerland), Reinhold Messner (Italy), Chris Bonington, Joe Brown (both Great Britain), Catherine Destivelle

(France), Kurt Diemberger (Austria), Nazir Sabir (Pakistan) and Doug Scott (Great Britain).

The Alpine Association of Slovenia congratulates Marko Prezelj on this success.