Downhill Dynamo

Extreme Skiers Like Davo Karnicar Are Why Extreme Skis Exist

- Rob Verger

DAVO KARNICAR IS THE MOST BADASS ATHLETE YOU’VE NEVER heard of. For most people who push their limits on the world’s biggest mountains, summiting Mount Everest is a career capstone. In 2000, Karnicar did that— and more: He skied all the way down the highest peak on Earth, a first.

Karnicar, 54, has since racked up ski descents of the tallest summits on all seven continents. This summer, he tried tackling the wildly treacherous Pakistani peak K2 for the second time. Unfortunately, while setting up base camp at around 16,400 feet, he hurt his back and had to scrub the expedition. “If it’s not possible, it’s not possible,” he says philosophically.