Legendary German Climber Kurt Albert Killed

© Kurt Albert Collection
Kurt Albert  © Kurt Albert Collection
Kurt Albert
© Kurt Albert Collection
Kurt Albert was a legendary German climber who shaped the development of rock climbing and pioneered hard routes across Germany and beyond.

Albert fell 18 metres from a Via Ferrata in the Hirschbach Valley in the Frankenjura on Sunday. The 56 year old sustained severe head injuries and was transported to a hospital in Erlangen (near Nürnberg). He was in a critical condition in hospital for several days. He was pronounced dead at the the hospital in Erlangen yesterday at 8.45 pm local time. The exact cause of his fall is yet to be determined.

Kurt, inventor of the Rotpunkt (redpoint), was often regarded as the catalyst behind modern sport climbing. Kurt painted red circles at the base of routes when they were projects, and filled the circle with a 'red point' when he had managed to climb them, and this is where the now universal climbing term 'redpoint' came from.

Alongside Wolfgang Gullich, Kurt Albert made the first ascent of perhaps the world's ultimate rock climb - Eternal Flame on Trango Tower in 1989.

Albert had been climbing since the age of 14 and had made countless first ascents throughout Germany including the classic Fight Gravity (UIAA 8+). Kurt had made many climbing friends across the globe and will be sorely missed by the climbing community.


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29 Sep, 2010
Terrible news. In the photograph, he looks so kind and steadfast. Rest in peace. Mick
29 Sep, 2010
How recent is that information? His death was mistakenly announced yesterday but then some news outlets (including Alpinist newswire) said he had "only" been severely injured. I just really, really hope UKC got it wrong :
29 Sep, 2010
To sadly answer the question: the German climbing scene news report his death alongside with quoting the existing preliminary police report (the cause of his death is under investigation- as always in Germany). So I am certain that this time the sad news is "true". http://kletterszene.com/news/kurt-albert-ist-an-seinen-verletzungen-gestorben/ My thoughts are with his family and friends and I hope they will get the support needed
29 Sep, 2010
Thanks for the clarification. This is terrible news.
29 Sep, 2010
Very sad news. The google translation of the link seems to suggest he was in a large group: "As has been written yesterday, had Kurt Albert on 9/26/2010 around 12:00 clock a climbing accident on Mountain Climbing "riser height luck" in Hirschbach (Hersbrucker Alb). Kurt was time for disaster as one of three leaders with a 17-strong group of participants at the height luck climbing the road. The celebration of the climbing route was organized by a company from southern Germany "
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