His wanderlust even got him into the Guinness Book of Records: "Brocken-Benno" climbed his favorite mountain 9000 times, well into old age. Now he died at the age of 90.
The record hiker known under the name "Brocken-Benno" has died. His widow confirmed this. "He fell asleep very calmly and peacefully," she said. Benno Schmidt died at the age of 90 on December 23. He was suffering from cancer.
Schmidt had climbed the 1,141 meter high Brocken 9,000 times. The hiker, who became known nationwide as "Brocken-Benno" on television, made it into the Guinness Book of Records. With his ascents into old age, he managed 120,000 kilometers.
Friends particularly valued his iron will, discipline and perseverance. On the occasion of his 90th birthday last May, the hiker described December 3, 1989 as the most beautiful day of his life. On that day, the GDR border fortifications fell on the Harz summit and the administration specialist was finally able to fulfill his dream of setting foot on the Brocken . The Brocken, surrounded by the Harz National Park, was a restricted military area before the fall of the Wall - and taboo for hikers.
Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff ruled with dismay and sadness at the death of the wanderer. "The commitment of our record hiker to the Harz will be unforgettable," said the head of government on Twitter. He is an example of homeland and love. Haseloff expressed his condolences to the family.
