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Face to Face with Conrad Stoltz, #SuuntoAdventure Video Series Episode 5
In the fifth episode of #SuuntoAdventure Video Series four time XTERRA world champion Conrad Stoltz talks about going fast, suffering and over 25 years of competing in triathlon.
Face to Face with Conrad Stoltz, #SuuntoAdventure Video Series Episode 5
Watch also the other episodes in the series:
Face to Face with Emelie Forsberg – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 1
Face to Face with Greg Hill – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 2
Face to Face with Kilian Jornet – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 3
Face to Face with William Trubridge – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 4

The Swiss Machine
Ever since his 2008 record-breaking solo speed ascent of the north face of the Eiger in 2h 47m 33s Ueli Steck has been regarded as one of climbing’s most spectacular talents.
Afterwards Steck declared he would dial back on the fast solo climbs that led to him being nicknamed the “Swiss Machine” but his climbing feats have continued to amaze and inspire. In 2013 he was back in the limelight after making an incredibly bold solo ascent of the south face of Annapurna (8,091 m) in 28 hours – a new record. The ascent won him the Piolet d’Or, one of climbing’s most prestigious awards.
“I was at the limits of my physical and mental ability. To go to such limits changes your consciousness, ” he said at the time. Climbers regard it as one of the most significant climbs in the Himalayas in a generation.
The older, smarter Steck is not the same climber he was as a daring youth, pushing the limits of human capability. “I feel a difference between now and 10 years ago,” he says. “My body needs more time to recover, and I have to be more careful with training. But I’m more confident, and this gives me a lot of freedom. But the fire still burns!”
As a purist, Steck climbs without using bottled oxygen and has so far summited five 8,000m peaks without doing so. Everest is one of those peaks, which, he says, was one of the most physically demanding undertakings in his life. “It’s out of the question for me to use bottled oxygen,” he says. “I either make the summit without it or I turn back, go home and train more.”
Steck is also noted for his rigorous and professional approach to training. He spends up to 30 hours a week working-out, running, climbing, cross-country skiing and doing endurance and strength work. He never travels anywhere without a pair of running shoes and is always scouting for something to get to the top of, whether a mountain in the distance or the top of a building if he’s city-bound, such as the One World Trade Center in New York City.
He says the Suunto Ambit is the perfect solution for both mountaineering and training. “It’s got everything I need in one package, whether I'm on an expedition in the Himalayas or on a hard one-day ascent in the Alps.”
But no matter what the route, Steck’s inspiration remains the same. “It’s the challenge of moving on in life,” he says. “I always want to try something I have not done before.”
Follow Ueli Steck's #82summit project here
Pictures by Jon Griffith Photography
Face to Face with Ueli Steck, #SuuntoAdventure Video Series Episode 6
In the sixth episode of #SuuntoAdventure Video Series you will meet one of climbing’s most spectacular talents, Swiss mountaineer Ueli Steck.
“If you are not afraid in life, it’s dangerous,” the Swiss Machine says and explains how – and why – he has changed his approach in the recent years.
Face to Face with Ueli Steck, #SuuntoAdventure Video Series Episode 6
Watch also the other episodes in the series:
Face to Face with Emelie Forsberg – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 1
Face to Face with Greg Hill – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 2
Face to Face with Kilian Jornet – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 3
Face to Face with William Trubridge – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 4
Face to Face with Conrad Stoltz – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 5

UNDERWATER EXPLORER
“Some people are repelled by the darkness of an underwater cave, but for me it’s an invitation into the unknown,” says Suunto Ambassador Jill Heinerth. Heinerth is a pioneering underwater explorer and filmmaker, leading technical diver, and world expert in rebreather technology.
Her love of the water began as a child and has persisted ever since. As a teen, Jill Heinerth was a volunteer swim instructor and lifeguard at her local swimming pool. Jacques Cousteau was her hero and by the age of 16 she was scuba diving.
Now, after more than a 20-year career, the Canadian underwater explorer and award-winning filmmaker has crossed the globe, diving in what she calls ‘the veins of mother earth’. Jill has dived deeper into the planet than any woman in history and seen some extraordinary places. She’s dived caves underneath the remote Ural mountains of Siberia, tickled the bellies of manatees near the Gulf of Mexico and explored sacred desert springs in Africa. In 2000, she was involved in one of her most ambitious projects to date — to dive inside a giant iceberg. In 2014 she was awarded the inaugural Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Jill is also a journalist and champion for women divers. She wrote a book called Women Underwater and in 2016 is part of a team of 10 women on an epic three-month journey, snorkeling more than 3000 km through frigid Arctic seas. “Some would suggest that exploration on this planet is done, but I disagree,” says Heinerth. “We know more about space than we do about our oceans and our underwater caves.”
Her abiding love of the ocean and watery places has also transformed her into a strong advocate for water conservation and protection, via her We Are Water Project. This important cause aims to raise awareness about global water issues, and encourage people to do more to protect our fresh water resources. Jill cycled across Canada, raising awareness along the way. With the same goal in mind, she wrote a fun children’s book about an itchy manatee that has an important message about water pollution.
Naturally, Suunto is the first choice of dive computer for Heinerth: “I’ve been using Suunto for a long time, and I think they represent the pinnacle of fine quality. The precise instruments and the ruggedness of the equipment have served me very well in some extreme diving expeditions over the years.”
She adds: “The Suunto DX is the key support device that serves as a backup for my rebreather. It’s easy to integrate it into a CCR dive plan, or any plan for that matter – open circuit or closed circuit. It also contains a very accurate digital compass, which I use to survey and make maps of new exploration.”
Face to Face with Jill Heinerth, #SuuntoAdventure Video Series Episode 7
In this seventh installment of the #SuuntoAdventure Video Series you will meet inspiring underwater explorer Jill Heinerth.
“You can’t always say how to solve a really, really big problem, but you usually know what the next best step is,” the optimistic Canadian says. Read more about Jill here.
Face to Face with Jill Heinerth, #SuuntoAdventure Video Series Episode 7
Watch also the other episodes in the series:
Face to Face with Emelie Forsberg – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 1
Face to Face with Greg Hill – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 2
Face to Face with Kilian Jornet – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 3
Face to Face with William Trubridge – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 4
Face to Face with Conrad Stoltz – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 5
Face to Face with Ueli Steck – #SuuntoAdventure Video Series, Episode 6

Ready for adventure in 2016
Suunto is proud to work with many amazing athletes and adventurers from all over the world, including our global ambassadors. We caught up with some of them to ask about the highlights of 2015 and what’s happening for them in 2016.
Speed alpinist Ueli Steck – the Swiss Machine
Highlights: Retaking the speed record for climbing Eiger was one of Ueli’s most satisying moments in 2015. Climbing all 82 of the 4000 m mountains in the Alps in a couple of months was also a great and liberating experience for him. His goals for 2016: To climb a new route on 8027 m Shishapangma’s south face, to take on some ultra distance trail races over summer, to keep moving physically and to continue developing his skill set as an alpinist.In one word, Ueli feels: “Great!”
© Ueli Steck
Mountain athlete Kilian Jornet
Highlight: Enjoying everyday, achieving great results and staying versatile in all distances and disciplines is what Kilian is most pleased with in 2015. His goals for 2016: First, it’s the ski mountaineering world cup. Then, the big project is attempting a world record speed ascent on Everest over summer as part of his Summits Of My Life project and, finally, some trail races. “To wake up, see a mountain every single day and go for it!” he says is his main motivation for 2016. In one word, Kilian is feeling: “Excited!”
© Kilian Jornet
Underwater explorer Jill Heinerth
Highlight: Being a TED presenter at the annual TED Youth broadcast in New York City was one of Jill’s proudest moments in 2015. Her talk reached more than 100,000 young people worldwide. Her goals for 2016: To slow down a little and enjoy her second passion in life – cycling. Aside from riding trails in Ontario, Jill and her husband hope to make cycle trip across the US, from Florida to their home in Canada. Jill is also returning to Newfoundland to explore a flooded iron ore mine and also WW2 shipwrecks. One word, Jill is feeling: “Excited!”
Triathlete Åsa Lundstrom
Highlight: Receiving emails from fans telling her that she has been an inspiration to them is one of Asa’s most rewarding experiences in 2015. Her goals for 2016: To place in the top 10 of women at the Ironman World Championships 2016, plus smaller goals for each discipline, and to be on the podium at every race she competes in. In one word, Asa is feeling: “Fortunate.”
© Orca
Backcountry skier Greg Hill
Highlight: For Greg, 2015 has been a year of rehabilitation after a serious injury in 2014. He turned 40 this year and is proud of where he’s at in life. “To be happily married, with two great kids, a cosy house and a reputation for being a solid mountain adventurer – it's all I could I'd ever ask for,” he says.His 2016 goals: To get as strong as he has ever been, some big 40,000 ft (12200 m) days in the mountains to celebrate his 40th, and speed traversing his local mountain range. The 200 km plus traverse normally requires two 10 day trips, but Greg aims to do it in two to three days. In one word, Greg is feeling: “Energized."
Mountain athlete Emelie Forsberg
Highlights: The fact that she still loves running, skiing and mountaineering as much as she does after years of it being her "work" is something Emelie is really happy about. Her four skyrunning victories and setting a new record at the Mount Marathon Race in Alaska were also satisfying achievements. Her goals for 2016: To become a faster and more all-round runner.In two words, Emelie is feeling: “Super excited!”
© Selu Vega-Transvulcania
MAIN IMAGE: © Jordi Saragossa