Biography

Born and raised in Belluno, Italy, Andrea Cattarossi began his mountaineering career at the age of 18, when he climbed to the top of the Civetta. It was love at first sight, and it soon led him to tackle difficulties graded up to 8b and to climb the great classic Dolomite routes such as Diedro Philipp Flamm on the Civetta and Tempi Moderni on the Marmolada. Andrea is an IT engineer, and for some years he worked in IT for companies in the fashion eyewear sector, trying to combine his job with time in the mountains.

After making friends with some alpine guides, he took part in expeditions in Jordan and Morocco, opening new routes; then in Yosemite he climbed Salathé Wall on El Capitan and Regular Northwest Face on Half Dome. The Dolomites remain a reference point for him, though, so he repeats many difficult routes there, including Specchio di Sara (grade IX) on the Marmolada and Spirit (8a) on Cima d’Auta.

In the winter he climbs ice waterfalls up to grade VI and mixed climbs up to M7, including Inachevée Conception Diretta in Cogne, the north wall of Adamello, and the Innominata Ridge to the summit of Mont Blanc. He also climbs the main peaks of the Alpine arc with skis and descends couloirs of up to 60 degrees.

Today he lives in Cortina, where he serves as a mountain guide and works with companies in the industry.