Biography
Bernd Zangerl was born in 1978 in Flirsch am Arlberg, a small village in Tyrol. His love for the mountains stemmed from early childhood. Bernd grew up in the middle of the mountains spending summers on his grandfather’s farm and hiking for hours with his father.
In 1994, the "natural born freeclimber" started climbing. Initially it was more alpine climbing with a Peter Grisseman, a mountainguide from the local village. The "big walls" in the alps was their goal. When he was 16, Bernd climbed the "Grand Capucin" (Mt. Blanc, France), and was probably the youngest person to reach the top of this mountain at that time. Later on, the Team did some classic routes in the "Wilder Kaiser" and the Dolomites. But after a scary "rockfall experience" in the "Marmolada South Wall", Bernd quit with this adventuresome part of climbing. He started with the more „safer“ Sport Climbing. A few years later Bernd became one of Austrians best Climbers. At his first competion in 1998 he achieved second place and, outside on the real rock, he climbed his first routes in the grade 8c. (Tai Chi, 8c, Lorüns).
In 1999 Bernd found his true passion. BOULDERING. Bernd likes the more relaxed boulderscene and was fascinated by some Fred Nicole boulders, where he wasn’t able to hold the holds. With a complete focus on bouldering it didn’t take long before he was one of it’s best. 2001, "The great unknown" how some magazines called him, climbed the world’s hardest bouldering challenge. “Dreamtime”. With this ascent, the unknown Austrian was suddenly in the limelight. His first ascents, "Viva La Evolution" (2003), "Memento" (2005), "Anam Cara" (2007), are still seen as some of the world’s most challenging boulders, and have been highlight of their time.
In 2005 Bernd got the chance, to show his passion for the sport in a "real" movie, filmed on 16mm. Together with Gerald Salmina, a professional filmmaker, he worked two years on their vision of making a „new style“ Bouldering movie. It was worth it. The result is pure soul. MEMENTO....a Boulder life line, won four different film festivals....and is still one to watch.
In 2009 Bernd reinforced his reputation for tackling the toughest of bouldering challenges. Within a short time he made the 2nd ascent of Dave Grahams Highlight "From the dirt grows the flower" (Fb.8c) and Fred Nicoles "Entlinge" (Fb.8c).
But Bernd was always more motivated for finding new lines, new areas. He is one of those guys, who cleaned and developed places like Magic Wood, Silvapark Silvretta and other areas in switzerland. Having put up around 500 first ascents around the world, he has recently been exploring new areas including South America, South Africa, China and India. His reports and pictures are published in global publications and are an inspiration for other climbers.
Inbetween the travelling, Zangerl organises the biggest bouldering event in Austria (the legendary "Charity Bouldering" in Flirsch am Arlberg) and moderates at the Mountain Filmfestival in St. Anton am Arlberg.
Bernd Zangerl has left his "footprints" around the world and has influenced and endorsed this young sport. In 2003 he was honored for his achievements by the renowned CLIMBING magazine and has been the first european climber to achieve the title: "Boulderer of the Year". An Austrian, who won the „climbing oscar“ ....
Bernd Zangerl has left his "footprints" around the world and has influenced and endorsed this young sport. In 2003 he was honored for his achievements by the renowned CLIMBING magazine and has been the first european climber to achieve the title: "Boulderer of the Year". An Austrian, who won the „climbing oscar“ ....
