riccardo cassin

Cassin was still climbing in his mid-eighties. During a career spanning more than 60 years, many of his challenging routes – in the Alps, the Himalayas and in North and South America – became benchmarks by which climbers still measure their skills and audacity today. Most of his ascents were done without bolts or specialised boots, and with homemade pitons, ropes wound from hemp, and steel karabiners meant for industrial use. 

In 1961, at the age of 52, he was sent a telegram of congratulation by President John F Kennedy after he became the first person to reach the summit of Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest peak in North America, via the technically-challenging route now known as the Cassin Ridge. In 1987, when he was 78, he re-climbed the Piz Badile to mark the 50th anniversary of the first climb. After the disbelieving media woke up to the event, he climbed it again a week later to provide them with pictures.
Riccardo Cassin received several of Italy's highest honours, including Commendatore della Repubblica and Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica.
He died at Piani Resinelli, near Lecco, on August 6. His wife Irma, whom he married in 1940, predeceased him, and he is survived by their three sons.