Didier Berthod

Quick Info

Nationality: CH
Hardest Trad (Worked): E9
Social Media

Didier Berthod is a Swiss climber who is known for his crack climbing. Famously, he came very close to making the first ascent of Cobra Crack in Squamish in 2006 before injury stopped him and Sonnie Trotter made the first ascent..

Around the same time he stopped trying Cobra Crack his partner became pregnant. Didier was unable to to imagine a life as a father and he fell back on his Catholic faith, first becoming a Monk with the Eucharistein Fraternity and later being ordained as a priest.

In 2020 he then left the church to pursue 'a more balanced life', including starting climbing again.

He has since reconciled with his child and her mother (Previously his partner), and has started making hard fist ascents again such as The Crack of Destiny in Squamish.

References

[1] Interview with Tom Randall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aSZ19z41Hg

[2] https://english.elpais.com/sports/2022-11-15/didier-berthod-from-rock-climbing-star-to-monk-and-back-again.html

[3] Interview with Niall Grimes, 2023 https://open.spotify.com/episode/32F0fKdpvYNkGup6pRtKMk?si=942b2d269f8743a9

Contributors: remus

Quick Info

Nationality: CH
Hardest Trad (Worked): E9
Social Media

Didier Berthod is a Swiss climber who is known for his crack climbing. Famously, he came very close to making the first ascent of Cobra Crack in Squamish in 2006 before injury stopped him and Sonnie Trotter made the first ascent..

Around the same time he stopped trying Cobra Crack his partner became pregnant. Didier was unable to to imagine a life as a father and he fell back on his Catholic faith, first becoming a Monk with the Eucharistein Fraternity and later being ordained as a priest.

In 2020 he then left the church to pursue 'a more balanced life', including starting climbing again.

He has since reconciled with his child and her mother (Previously his partner), and has started making hard fist ascents again such as The Crack of Destiny in Squamish.

References

[1] Interview with Tom Randall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aSZ19z41Hg

[2] https://english.elpais.com/sports/2022-11-15/didier-berthod-from-rock-climbing-star-to-monk-and-back-again.html

[3] Interview with Niall Grimes, 2023 https://open.spotify.com/episode/32F0fKdpvYNkGup6pRtKMk?si=942b2d269f8743a9

Contributors: remus

Podcasts

Pics + Vids

Added at 18:09 on 16 September 2023
Added at 19:05 on 16 May 2021
Cobra Crack (E9)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 07:07 on 06 July 2023
The Crack of Destiny (E9, FA)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 20:06 on 05 June 2023
Cobra Crack (E9)
Added at 14:10 on 01 October 2021

Ascents

3 recorded ascents.

Year Climb Grade Ascent Date
2003 Greenspit E9 (Lead worked) 14th Dec 2003
First ascent.

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/greenspit-valle-dellorco-for-didier-berthod.html
2004
2005 Cobra Crack E9 (Lead did not finish) 2005

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhWvaQpJ7NM

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVOBYttLEV/
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 The Crack of Destiny E9 (Lead worked) 23rd Jun 2023
First ascent.

It was love at first sight. So there it was, this perfect splitter crack that had haunted my dreams for so long. And in a perfect setting, with a perfect view, and a perfect ledge. And even the hour-long walk is also kinda perfect as it gives you a break from the crowds…

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CtHtFK2S9nY/=

[2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/didier-berthod-first-ascent-the-crack-of-destiny-squamish-canada.html
Climb Grade Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Greenspit E9 (Lead worked) 14th Dec 2003
First ascent.

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/greenspit-valle-dellorco-for-didier-berthod.html
The Crack of Destiny E9 (Lead worked) 23rd Jun 2023
First ascent.

It was love at first sight. So there it was, this perfect splitter crack that had haunted my dreams for so long. And in a perfect setting, with a perfect view, and a perfect ledge. And even the hour-long walk is also kinda perfect as it gives you a break from the crowds…

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CtHtFK2S9nY/=

[2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/didier-berthod-first-ascent-the-crack-of-destiny-squamish-canada.html
Cobra Crack E9 (Lead did not finish) 2005

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhWvaQpJ7NM

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVOBYttLEV/
Climb Grade Ascent Date Suggested Grade