Robert Steiner (writer)  Robert Steiner (born 7 December 1976), is a German mountain-climber and writer. Steiner was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and grew up in Ostelsheim in the Black Forest. After finishing his Abitur he studied Geography and German in Freiburg im Breisgau to become a teacher. Steiner started mountain-climbing at the age of 17 and went on to climb the Eiger, Matterhorn and Grandes Jorasses. He then climbed Bigwall in British Columbia and took part in expeditions to Mount Everest, Langtang in Tibet, Rolwaling and Tien Shan. In 1997 he had a serious accident at Grandes Jorasses which made him review his attitude to climbing, after which he wrote his first book.