In memoriam Günter Auferbauer

“Dear Günter, I hope my greetings from the Silvretta reach you safely. Best regards.”
– Peter

Like many of us, I had known Günter Auferbauer by name for a long time. Years ago, I answered some of his letters to the editor that he wrote to the magazine bergundsteigen. I put him in the “old and crotchety” category, based on my experience with old mountaineers.

I’ve known since October 2023 that I was dead wrong: We met up for an interview for analyse:berg. Günter traveled to Innsbruck – by train, of course – and we talked for several hours. Also about mountaineering. I was impressed by his life story, his reflective view of things and his humanistic attitude. It wasn’t just nice small talk, but an in-depth conversation on many topics. Günter’s openness and empathy were particularly evident when we disagreed. Which was often the case, because he was always ahead of his time and his ego didn’t bend for benevolent but insignificant pats on the back.

Putting this interview into writing was a challenge. As I write these lines, I am listening to the recording and although the finished text does not come close to Günter’s spoken word, his feedback was touching: “I don’t know how to interpret why so much honor is given to me on your part … I’m just a grain of sand …”

Since then, I have been in loose contact with Günter. Each of the following encounters underlined my image of a sincere and enthusiastic person for whom the mountains were and are the center of his life. He was grateful for this, even though he was no longer able to be out and about like he used to be. But it was less about him and more about the cause and sharing his joy with others. In all the conversations, I had the feeling that Günter would not be complete without Luise – ever since he stood on Mont Blanc with her in August 1963. Our sympathy goes out to her and their children.

“Mountaineering fills me with joy and satisfaction.

Perhaps also a little feeling of happiness when something goes well

and when I know my feelings are shared.”

– Günter Auferbauer, 2023, analyze:berg #26

Günter had been an expert member of ÖKAS for decades. At the general meetings in financially strained times, some others buried their heads in the sand or wanted to throw in the towel. Not Günter: By far the oldest participant, he passionately appealed that it must be possible to lead this important institution into a bright future together. He inspired the audience as a guest speaker at the Alpine Forum 2023 and at the Alpine Festival Prague in November 2024.

In March 2025, we learned that Günter was ill and only receiving palliative treatment. At the same time, he sent us his text on personal responsibility for the current analyse:berg winter issue 2024/25. He implemented our annoying editorial requests and correction suggestions faster and more precisely than the other authors and let us know the following when we sent him the .pdf for correction at the beginning of March: “Thank you, may the text have met your expectations. I am well enough to be able to correct it for you, handshake from Günter”

Followed by: “Thank you for your expert commitment. I saw the PDF (very well done!) through […] I wish you a relaxing weekend ✴️ Stay well🍀 Greetings from Günter with Luise”

I never wrote Günter any casual WhatsApp messages, except for the one from the Silvretta on April 12. No idea why. Maybe because I was out and about with 30 passionate but relaxed female freeriders as part of the “Back on Track” freeride contest. On the way to the summit of the Winterberg, a beautiful panorama opened up and I thought to myself that Günter might enjoy being here with these young mountaineers. His reply: “How beautiful ✴️👏🍀☀️ dear Peter. Finally a narrow trail uphill – tomorrow to the palliative station … and then … ??? I hope ☘️☘️☘️”

Günter Auferbauer passed away on April 23, 2025 at the age of 85.