Mountains, Soul & Rock´n Roll

Thomas Huber, UIAGM Mountain Guide, the older brother of the two Huberbuam, has dedicated his life to alpinism. Together with his brother Alexander, they form one of today’s most capable and successful rope parties.

His childlike curiosity has always been prompting him to discover the unknown in the mountains all over the world. Whether it is speed climbing on the steepest walls, alpinism on the most difficult peaks, or expeditions in extreme regions - Thomas is looking for the challenge and takes it up with the ambition of an athlete.

Rise and fall, set-backs and successes, Thomas got to experience it all in the mountains. His strong, indomitable spirit has learned that in order to find the key to success, he must accept set-backs on his crazy vertical journeys. He is a father of three children and always aware of his responsibility for his family.

Besides climbing mountains, Thomas entertains a large audience with his adventures - even after more than a 1000 intense, funny and passionate slide shows. With his brother Alexander, Thomas has authored several books and is the protagonist of several movies. He also is a much-appreciated guest in talk shows.

How it all began…

It all began in a normal Bavarian village: Palling. On a farm, there are 2 cheeky boys, a little girl, and mom and dad, who love the mountains. They are the Hubers, or rather, in Bavarian tradition, »the Riedls«, as Riedl is the name of the farm.

Thomas senior, the patriarch, is often in the mountains with fellow alpinists. He experienced many mountain adventures - from Berchtesgaden to the Mont Blanc and Denali. Even today, well past 70, he is regularly climbing up to 5.10.

The Riedlbuam (Riedl-Boys) are motivated! From an early age, they start exploring the mountains during ski tours in the Western Alps, and undertake their first rock climbs with their dad. It won’t take long before they are a close-knit team in the mountains. At the beginning, the apple tree in the garden will have to do - here they practice rope maneuvers. They start climbing in the loose quarry just outside Palling, and go bouldering on the walls of the local castle.

After that, the brothers go on their first trip without their dad, to the Wilder Kaiser in Tyrol. They enter the realm of 5.10 and above. Soon, repeating existing climbs becomes boring. It lacks the unknown, the excitement, and the element of discovery.

Their first first ascent, Rauhnachtstanz on the south face of Wagendrischlhorn becomes the foundation of their climbing lives. The unknown of the vertical world, the first ascent, it became their biggest motivation and has since remained their true passion. At the local crag, Karlstein, they establish countless new routes in a short time, and their climbing ability keeps improving. Soon, they are known beyond Palling, and their name changes from Riedlbuam to Huberbuam…

The name stands for difficult first ascents and wild stories from their explorations of the mountains…

They share their passion without compromise, and even if they may seem different at first sight, they both share the name Huberbuam and what it stands for. They are a perfect team on the hardest mountains.

Again and again, Thomas has to deal with serious injuries that hinder his progress as an athlete. Because of these set-backs, he develops a strong will. Giving up is out of question. Later in his life, he discovers sky diving and tries to combine it with climbing: After a difficult ascent, the parachute comes in and provides a quick descent.

Music is another way for him to express himself. He is the lead singer of the punk rock band Plastic Surgery Disaster. Despite is wild spirit, Thomas appreciates nothing more than finding peace at home with his family. He lives in Berchtesgaden. He is married to Marion and has two sons and a daughter: Elias, Amadeus, and Philomea.