The Mendietxe Museoa, housed in an evocative ecclesiastical building, offers visitors a fascinating journey through the history of mountaineering, presenting historical artefacts and equipment: from technical clothing to tents, from protective devices to footwear, for a complete overview of the evolution of the equipment used by mountaineers during their explorations over the centuries.
Among the main attractions, the museum displays equipment used by Txikon on his Himalayan expeditions, including tents and Ferrino backpacks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history of mountaineering. Particular emphasis is placed on sustainability, with a final section presenting the environmental impact of contemporary mountaineering, especially in the Himalayas.
"The Mendietxe Museoa aims to be not only a museum, but an educational centre.
There is still much work to be done. What we have presented today is hopefully the beginning of a larger project.
In this first phase we have set up three spaces: a room with the historical collection, another dedicated to the animals of the world and a third with the collection of the Club Lagun Onak of Azpeitia and my personal collection, for a journey through the great feats of world mountaineering".
Alex Txikon
The Mendietxe Museoa therefore aims to be a point of reference for mountain enthusiasts and for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of mountaineering and its history, while promoting a message of sustainability for future generations.
“I was happy to be present at the exciting opening day of this extraordinary museum to which Alex has dedicated so much energy.
It is an ambitious project that involves the entire Basque community of mountain enthusiasts who on this occasion wanted to show a collective recognition to Alex not only for his athletic skills, but also for his extraordinary human qualities. We are happy that in the museum you can see some important pieces of the Ferrino historical archive including two original tents from Messner's expeditions. Furthermore, Alex has chosen to install with our support outside the museum an impressive "Base Camp" that faithfully reproduces a Himalayan base camp and has a beautiful visual impact"
Anna Ferrino, CEO Ferrino.
Photo © Alex Berasategi, Iñaki etxenagusia and Andres Navamuel
