Bill Denz
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27 December 1951
- Free solo climbing
- Reputedly climbing the Machapuchare illegally in 1983
Bill Denz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Matthew William Denz 27 December 1951 Surrey, England |
| Died | 3 October 1983 (aged 31) Makalu, Nepal |
| Cause of death | Falling, due to an avalanche |
| Known for |
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Bill Denz, formally Matthew William Denz,[1] (27 December 1951 – 3 October 1983) was a mountain climber from New Zealand, famous for his free solo climbing and reputed climbing of the Machapuchare illegally in 1983.
Mountain climbing
Denz had become somewhat famous due to his effective ways of climbing the harsh routes in the Southern Alps, Darran Mountains and Patagonia.[3] He was described as a free solo climber, who loved mountains that hadn't been climbed, would refuse to choose easy routes, and who would ice climb in harsh areas.[4][5]
One of his friends, Philipp Herron, died when climbing the Cerro Torre with him.[6] Due to his friend's death and the extremely harsh environment, Denz would only manage to climb the finale rime mushroom twice, instead of the summit.[7]
According to unconfirmed sources, Denz reputedly climbed the Machapuchare in Nepal illegally in either 1973[8] or 1983. Due to his death in 1983, it is still uncertain whether the story is true.[9][4] He had also tried illegally climbing the Melungtse in Tibet.[7][10]
In 1981, Denz had become the first person ever to climb the Kusum Kanguru in Nepal.[11]