REPLAY | Launch of the Snow Leopard Challenge with Serge Bazin

On October 12 1967, to encourage and reward the best in the race to the top, the Bureau of the Central Council of Sports Societies and Organizations of the USSR decided to award a prize to those who managed to climb the five highest Soviet peaks. The Snow Leopard challenge was born. It wasn't until 1985 that the first two Westerners to win the challenge were Americans. Finally, in 1997, a French couple, Brigitte and Pierre Meloni, won the prestigious medal. They are the third medal-winning couple. In 2011, Serge Hardy will be the fifth and last Frenchman to win the title.

Who's next? Maybe you will!

Together with mountain guide Serge Bazin, Expeditions Unlimited is taking on this rare challenge with one expedition and one summit every two years from this summer 2023, starting with the 7105-meter Korjenevskaya peak. In our interview, Eric Bonnem, founder of Secret Planet, talks to Serge Bazin about the origins and content of this challenge. They review the five summits, from the well-known Peak Lenin to Pobeda at 7439 metres, probably the biggest challenge. They discuss preparation, difficulties and more.

Join the Snow Leopard challenge.