Dodo Kopold

Slovakia

Birthday? February 6, 1980 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Year you first started climbing? I started the winter of 1997 in the Tatras mountains.

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of? New routes in alpine style in the Himalaya and Karakorams. The fact that during my climbs I met many friends. The fact that I have survived all my climbs.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? It was in High Tatras mountains in winter of 1997 when I climbed my first ice.

Favorite climbing area? My favorite climbing area is Baltoro in Pakistan.

Best climbing experience? There are two: On Great Trango in Pakistan where we open a new route in alpine style during eight days and a new route on Annapurna South what was my first solo climb in the Himalaya. I never felt before so much air around me like there.

Worst climbing experience? I have lost in the Himalaya many good friends.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? My dream trip is sailing on the boat around the world with my family. Explore the islands, meet new people...

Guilty pleasure? I never want to stop exploring.

BD gear you use every time you go climbing? During my climbs I enjoy several pieces of BD gear: Cobra ice tools, Firstlight tent and Spectre Ice Piton (best protection in High Tatras mountains in frozen grass).

Something that annoys you while climbing? When I'm climbing high in the mountains I think that the way down will be long.

What/who inspires you in climbing? The four climbers from Slovakia who climbed in alpine style in 1988 on the Southwest face of Mount Everest.

Favorite apre-climb meal? Cheese, sausage, ham and salami.

Favorite climbing flick? I still don´t have TV at home.

What's in your iPod? 16GB of good music. Rock, pop, classic, jazz...

Strangest place you've ever woken up? At 7400 meters on Annapurna's Northwest face in the freezing morning.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? My climbing partners on Annapurna's Northwest face :-).

Three things you'd never roadtrip without? My talismans, iPod and camera.

Motto? It is better to live one day as a tiger then a hundred as a sheep.

What's your dream job? Being a good father.

How are you training when you are not climbing? Babysitting with my daughter Tara and son Leo.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Few years ago I had a dinner with Doug Scott, Peter Habler and Jim Donini. It was fantastic.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Yes, on my finger is a flower ring. My wife Katarina has the same. Then on my left side. And I have piercing in my ears.