Marija and Andrej Štremfelj: Our Story

As part of a joint project of Gorenjska museums Incredable Mountains.

Marija and Andrej Štremfelj will present their life path and the successes they have had in their long mountaineering career. On October 7 this year, it will be exactly 30 years since they became the first married couple to climb to the top of the world – on Mt. Everest. Thus, they entered the Guinness Book of Records forever. Already in 1979, in association with Nejc Zaplotnik, Andrej became the first Slovene (in the Yugoslav expedition) to climb to the roof of the world.

Their life path is marked by many solo and also joint climbing successes, which they also summarized in the book Embrace at the Top of the World. The book and fragments of its contents will be presented at the lecture. They will also shed some secrets from their lives. They are spouses, parents already “retired”, climbers, alpinists, guides, a man with a capital letter, who is adored by the wider world. We look with admiration at their common and individual paths and bow to outstanding achievements.

Marija Štemfelj, Ph.D. biology, alpinist, climber, mountain guide, wife and mother of three children. In 1979 she went to the Andes for the first time, in 1982 she became a member of the first Yugoslav women’s mountaineering expedition to the Pamirs, became the first Slovene on the 8000m (1986 – Broad Peak), later reached three more, the 13th woman in the world to stand. on Everest.

Andrej Štremfelj, Ph.D. physical education, climber, alpinist, mountain rescuer, guide, husband and father. Recipient of the Golden Ax for Lifetime Achievement (2018) and the Golden Ax (with Marko Prezl) for a new alpine-style route to the South Peak of Kanchendenga… In his career, he has completed over 3,000 ascents and climbing feats – in snow, ice, in championship routes.

Due to the restrictions of the NIJZ due to COVID-19, registrations for the museum evening are mandatory. Write to: info@muzejkamnik.si or call: 01 8317 662.