About Jozef
Jozef is a Slovak-born entrepreneur and adventurer based in Rotterdam. Though he lives in the famously flat Netherlands, his heart belongs in the mountains— mountaineering, climbing, skiing, and escaping civilization at least once a year. After discovering Pink Summits through a Reddit search for “gay mountaineering,” he joined expeditions to Pik Leipzig in Kyrgyzstan, and Denali in Alaska, the USA. He values remote landscapes, genuine team connections, and the simplicity of life outdoors.
Pronouns
he/him
Origin
Slovakia
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Q: You live in the famously flat Netherlands. How did you get into mountaineering?
Jozef: Ironically, I became serious about mountaineering after moving to the flattest country in Europe. First I started taking Alpine club courses and slowly worked my way up to bigger mountains. I’m a big believer in proper training instead of rushing straight to high peaks.
Q: What is your favorite mountain you’ve climbed?
Jozef: Dents du Géant in the Mont Blanc Massif. It’s a stunning rock pillar that rises straight out of the glacier. Climbing it with mountaineering boots on technical rock was challenging but absolutely spectacular.
Q: Any memorable or funny expedition stories?
Jozef: Plenty. Near the summit day of Denali there were a couple of… urgent bathroom situations. But one of my favorite parts is the downtime during the expeditions: sleeping all day in a tent with no cell phone, no TV—pure bliss.
Q: What are your dream mountains?
Jozef: Ama Dablam in Nepal and Khan Tengri in the Tian Shan. But honestly, I’m flexible. As long as the team is good and the place is remote, I’m happy.
Q: What advice do you have for beginners who want to get into mountaineering?
Jozef: Don’t start with the big peaks. Begin with hiking, then basic climbing. Take proper courses—especially in the Alps. Learn through books, videos, and qualified instructors. Build experience gradually.
Q: How do you experience queer visibility in mountaineering?
Jozef: For me, the LGBTIQ+ aspect is secondary to trust and compatibility. When you’re stuck with someone for two weeks, teamwork matters more than labels. But depending on the region, visibility can be important. Western Europe is usually fine; Eastern Europe and Central Asia can be more conservative.
Visibility matters not only for a wider society, but also for queer communities: there were quite a lot of gay people who were quite surprised that there are in fact gay mountaineers and climbers as well.
“Give me a month-long trip far away from anything urban. That’s where life becomes simple again: eat, sleep, climb, survive.”