Walter Cecchinel

Walter Cecchinel arrived in France in 1949 and lived mainly in Haute-Savoie. After studying mechanics, he discovered the mountains at the age of twenty. He obtained his aspirant guide diploma in 1968 before obtaining that of high mountain guide in 1971.

The following year, he became the youngest teacher at the National Ski and Mountaineering School in Chamonix and taught a new technique that he had developed, the ice axe-traction. This technique revolutionized in a few years the way of approaching ice climbing in France. The Scots were already using it without making it known for a few months. Walter Cecchinel developed this new way of climbing during the ascent of the first direct ascent of the north face of the Grand Pilier d'Angle in the Mont Blanc massif on 16 and 17 September 1971, accompanied by Georges Nominé. The first real application of the ice axe-traction in the Alps took place during the first winter route of the Lagarde Ségogne corridor at the Aiguille du Plan on 28, 29 and 30 December 1971, with his friend Claude Jager.

The crowning achievement of Walter Cecchinel's career in the Alps was the first ascent of the north-east corridor of the Drus in Chamonix from 28 to 31 December 1973, accompanied by Claude Jager. He then took part in the ENSA expedition to Nanda Devi (Garwall Himalayas in India) where he reached the eastern summit at 7,432 m in the company of Yves Pollet-Villard and Dorgee Lathoo. His career was abruptly interrupted by a serious mountain accident on 17 August 1977, following which he underwent numerous operations resulting in hospitalization for almost a year. Despite the after-effects of his accident, Walter Cecchinel took part in the Everest expedition (8,849 m) via the Nepalese side with the first French expedition led by Pierre Mazeaud who reached the summit on 15 October 1978, then took part in the French expedition to Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) in Pakistan. The end of his career in the Himalayas was marked by his participation in the French expedition to Hidden Peak (8,068 m) in Pakistan.

A draftsman and technical designer, Walter Cecchinel then became an advisor to many French and foreign mountain equipment brands. In particular, he designed the first industrial ice axe obtained by cutting and folding for Simond, designed the first modern crampon with aligned points in 1971, the first polyamide and leather glove for Racer in 1973, the first backpack with a ventilated backpack for Millet in 1974 and the first shoe with Gore Tex lining in Europe for Trappeur in 1974.

Walter Cecchinel also collaborated with the equipment manufacturers Cébé, Racer, Duret, Topiol, Cimalp, Moncler, Bachelier Protectant, Haase, Reusch, Ferrino and Grivel. He is considered one of the specialists in mountain backpacks, which he was able to develop through many innovative systems.