Simon Messner pivots from mountaineering to fatherhood, citing rising dangers

A shift toward fatherhood

Simon Messner, the 36-year-old mountaineer and son of Reinhold Messner, says he wants to be more of a father than an adventurer. In an interview with the Augsburger Allgemeine, he explained, "I don't want to be misunderstood, but I just want to do things differently." He emphasized his responsibility as a parent to be present. Messner has a young daughter, and becoming a father was a decisive turning point. Since then, he has scarcely gone mountaineering. The South Tyrolean describes the personal transformation as profound, reshaping his priorities away from the extreme pursuits that defined his earlier years.

I see it as my responsibility, as a parent, to be there and take care.

Climate change makes mountaineering more dangerous

Messner pointed to the growing hazards of climbing due to climate change. "Mountaineering is becoming more and more dangerous because of climate change," he said. He noted a sharp increase in rockfall in recent years, a danger that is difficult to assess. He has lost around ten partners, friends, and acquaintances on the mountain. This personal toll, together with fatherhood, reinforced his decision to step back. The changing conditions in the Alps have turned familiar routes into unpredictable threats, Messner suggested, and he no longer wants to take those risks.

I have now lost about ten partners, friends, acquaintances on the mountain.

Film debut in Munich

Simon Messner's new film, "Aus dem Schatten" (Out of the Shadows), premiered on Thursday at the Munich Film Festival. The 36-year-old was not fully satisfied with the title, saying he did not have complete control over it. Nevertheless, he promises the film offers a fresh perspective on mountaineering. "The film illuminates mountaineering in a way that perhaps it has never been illuminated before," Messner told the newspaper. The documentary marks his latest creative project, shifting his focus from climbing itself to examining the culture and dangers surrounding it.

The film illuminates mountaineering in a way that perhaps it has never been illuminated before.

Strained family contact

Regarding his relationship with his famous father, Reinhold Messner, Simon said there is currently no contact at his father's request. The family is having difficulties reaching the senior Messner. This detail adds a layer of personal complexity to the story of a son forging a path away from the legacy of extreme adventure. The estrangement, while not elaborated upon, contrasts with Simon's own emphasis on engaged parenting.

Currently, at his request, I have no contact.