Rolf Bae
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Rolf Bae | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rolf Bae | |
| Born | 9 January 1975 Sandnes, Norway |
| Died | 1 August 2008 (aged 33) |
| Occupations | Adventurer, mountaineer |
| Website | http://www.explorapoles.org |
Rolf Bae (9 January 1975 – 1 August 2008) was a Norwegian Arctic adventurer and mountaineer. Bae operated an adventure company called Fram,[1] specializing in Arctic and Antarctic travel and survival courses. He died during ascent in the 2008 K2 disaster.
In 2000/2001, Bae crossed Antarctica with fellow explorer Eirik Sønneland,[2][3] completing what was then the world's longest ski journey, 3800 km long, taking 105 days to complete; the record was beaten by Rune Gjeldnes in 2006.
On 27 December 2005, he arrived at the South Pole,[4] after skiing from the ice shelf, and on 24 April 2006, he reached the North Pole unsupported,[5] both expeditions together with Cecilie Skog, the first woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
In 2008, Bae together with Stein-Ivar Gravdal, Bjarte Bø and Sigurd Felde reached the top of Great Trango Tower (6286 m) in Karakoram, Pakistan, via the "Norwegian Buttress" (VII 5.10+ A4). The team spent 27 days ascending and 30 hours descending the peak. This was the second complete ascent via this route.[6]
Death
Rolf Bae died on 1 August 2008, in a climbing accident while taking part in an international expedition on K2 mountain in which eleven climbers lost their lives.[7] His wife, experienced climber Cecilie Skog, reported seeing her husband swept off the mountain during an ice fall accident.[8]
Bae was a friend and teammate of Ger McDonnell, the first Irishman to summit K2. Both men died within hours of each other in separate avalanches on K2.
