High Mountain University, a Scuola con The Founder

My name is Silvio "Gnaro" Mondinelli and I am a passionate mountaineer. If you are a mountain climber, you have probably heard about me. I am a simple man who followed his passion - climbing the world's highest peaks.

Born on June 24, 1958 in Gardone Val Trompia (BS), I joined the Revenue Guard Corps when I was still very young. I was sent to Alagna Valsesia (VC), where I became a part of the local rescue team. In 1981 I became an alpine guide and after having climbed the Alps' highest and most difficult peaks, I made the decision to tackle the highest mountains outside of Europe.

Puscanturpa: In 1984 I made the first ascent to the north face of Puscanturpa (6.090 m.), the Peruvian mountain known as the South American Eiger for its beauty and difficulty.
Mount Manaslu: In 1993 I climbed Mount Manaslu (8.156 m.) in Nepal, my first "eight-thousander".
Broad Peak: On July 13, 2007 I reached the summit of the Broad Peak (8.047 m.), the last peak that qualified me as the sixth member the exclusive club of the mountaineers who climbed all fourteen "eight-thousanders" without supplemental oxygen.

After having climbed the 14 highest mountains in the world, I asked myself, "What am I going to do now?" I still have so many ideas and projects in my mind - I simply can't stop now. I decided to share my experiences accumulated from the more than 40 expeditions I have participated in with mountain lovers who desire to tackle the highest peaks outside of Europe, and who would like to share the same enthusiasm and emotions I felt still feel while climbing.

"High Mountain University" was founded in this context. At the university, you will learn how to master the challenge of mountaineering through intensive classes and meetings.