Carsten von Birckhahn was a “pioneer” and a “hands-on man”, “a mountain enthusiast” and a “gear innovator”. He made his vision – making the world safer and simpler for moun-tain sports enthusiasts – the mission for a whole company. Thanks to his inno-vative drive, his tireless commitment, his experience and great love for mountain sports, EDELRID is today one of the most successful mountain sports brands on the market.

Carsten had deep roots and extensive connections in the outdoor industry, as Brand Manager he was the driving force behind numerous innovations over the past ten years. He was a passionate climber and mountain sports enthusiast with a fantastic overview of the industry and the innovations born at EDELRID. He was an expert strat-egist with an eye for economic efficiency and finding the best product solutions. Carsten developed new braiding techniques and continually improved them down to the smallest detail. He moved forward sustainable production and brand development and was able to establish pioneering partnerships. He thought beyond the boundaries of existing business fields and developed opportunities, built up EDELRID North America, brought Tommy Caldwell to EDELRID, expanded the OEM sector and over-saw the introduction of the latest member of the EDELRID family “RED CHILI”.

Carsten lived and loved mountain sports – at work as well as in the mountains. In addition to regular climbing expeditions in his native Patagonia, he would recharge his batteries in Val di Mello and had a genuine thirst for action and adventure. On Satur-day, 15 July 2017, he suffered a fatal paragliding accident on the landing approach after spending two days with his family at the Manzi bivouac in Val di Mello.
With profound sadness, we mourn for and pay our respects to our colleague and friend Carsten von Birckhahn, who has inspired us and shaped everything we have done for so many years, and who was leading us forward to a promising future. His vision of a new world of mountain sports will continue to live on in every one of us; also, through our new colleague Thomas Hodel, who Carsten introduced to the com-pany as a driving force in the brand management.
We are grateful for the time we were able to spend with him. Our thoughts are with his family, who we wish every strength for the time ahead.
EDELRID is grieving for its Brand Manager, Board Member and friend Carsten von Birckhahn.

INFO: EDELRID