Kazuya Hiraide


Kazuya Hiraide from Fujimi, Nagano Prefecture, is a Japanese ski mountaineer, Alpine climber, and professional mountain cameraman.
Hiraide became a serious mountain climber after joining a mountaineering club at his university. In 2001, he reached the eastern summit of Mt. Kula Kangri in Tibet. His list of accomplishments includes first ascents, reaching summits without oxygen and skiing from mountain peaks. In 2009, he scaled the previously unclimbed southeastern wall of Mt. Kamet in India, and with partner Kei Taniguchi, became the first Japanese to receive the 17th Piolet d’Or Award, the "Academy Award" of mountaineering. He also received the Japan Sports Award, sponsored by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, in 2001 and 2009.

Sponsors

Ski mountaineering

On November 7, 2010 the Annapurna record-holding rescue pilot Sabin Basnyat and his fellow technician Purna Awale were killed in a crash which took place on their second flight for Kazuya Hiraide, after they had safely airlifted David Göttler on the north face of Ama Dablam.
This accident was reported in the video of Swiss broadcast SF1 with the title "Die Bergretter im Himalaya - Dokumentation".

Awards