Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll

Acting

Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll

Born February 7, 1981 · Hoeilaart, Belgium (age 45)

Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll is a professional climber and mountaineer born in Etterbeek, Belgium, in February 1981, to an Irish mother and a Spanish father. A polyglot, he speaks English, Dutch, French, and Spanish, and has established himself as one of the most original figures in contemporary mountaineering thanks to a style that is committed, inventive, and remarkably free. His reputation was b…

Known For

China JamChina Jam · 2014
China Jam
10.02014
MovieAdventureDocumentary
In their infinite quest for virgin big walls, adventurers Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, Nicolas Favresse, Stephane Hanssens and Evrard Wendenbaum, head in September 2013 to a remote valley in the westernmost region of China. There, they found a fantastic 1200m vertical pillar, culminating at 5842m. They spent 14 days on the wall facing snow storms and harsh conditions to finally achieve this amazing ascent with some frost bites but never forgetting to have a lot of fun and to play unreal musical sessions.
Asgard JammingAsgard Jamming · 2009
Asgard Jamming
9.02009
MovieAdventureDocumentary
Attempt to make the first free climbing of the Mount Asgard.
Notes From The WallNotes From The Wall · 2017
Notes From The Wall
10.02017
MovieDocumentaryAdventure
"Notes From The Wall" (2017) is a climbing documentary directed by Guillaume Lion. It follows three of Belgium's top mountaineers – Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, Nicolas Favresse, and Siebe Vanhee – in their audacious attempt to free climb one of Patagonia's greatest walls. For 19 days, on El Regalo de Mwono (1,200 meters), in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, the team faced extreme weather conditions, technical difficulties, and the mental exhaustion of long days and nights spent on this vertical face. Much more than just an ascent, "Notes from the Wall" captures the raw spirit of adventure, intense camaraderie, and moments of humor that punctuate the ascent of these elite climbers pushing their limits and reflecting on the meaning of climbing and friendship in one of the most spectacular—and unforgiving—climbing environments in the world.
Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012 · 2012
Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012
10.02012
MovieAdventureDocumentary
Located in the heart of the Patagonian pampas, in Argentina's Chubut province, Piedra Parada's monolith rises up from the surrounding desert. Lying just to the north, the majestic 200-meter monolith La Buitrera Canyon was home to the 10th anniversary Petzl RocTrip in November 2012. For more than a week, climbers from all over the world came together to share a common passion: climbing. Thanks to the hard work of a team of Argentinean and international route developers, La Buitrera Canyon, 5 km long with towering cliffs up to 200m high, is now one of Argentina's major climbing spots. For the tenth edition of the Petzl RocTrip, more than 1500 people climbed in the wind, dust, heat, and cold, for an unforgettable Patagonian experience! As every year since 2002, the Petzl RocTrip is an opportunity for climbers to come together for a shared passion in a friendly atmosphere. Featuring Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Dave Graham, Charlotte Durif, Dani Andrada, Daniel Du Lac, and Nina Caprez.
Venezuela Jungle JamVenezuela Jungle Jam · 2012
Venezuela Jungle Jam
10.02012
MovieAdventureDocumentary
The latest film from the Belgian climbing team, following Asgard Jamming and Vertical Sailing Greenland, Venezuela Jungle Jam features Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Nico Favresse, Stephane Hanssens and Jean-Louis Wertz as they attempt a new free climb on the overhanging 500m wall of Amuri Tepul in the Venezuelan Jungle.
Riders on the StormRiders on the Storm · 2025
Riders on the Storm
10.02025
Movie
Big wall climber Siebe Vanhee enlists Drew Smith and fellow Belgian countrymen Nico Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll to attempt the first free ascent of the elusive Riders on the Storm route on the East Face of Patagonia’s Torre Central.
Vertical Sailing GreenlandVertical Sailing Greenland · 2011
Vertical Sailing Greenland
8.02011
MovieAdventureDocumentary
A "team of savages," as their boat captain Bob Shepton calls them, comprised of Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Olivier Favresse, Nicolas Favresse, and Ben Ditto, set off for Greenland to attempt a first big wall climb. Arriving in Asia by plane, they prepare the sailboat for two months of self-sufficiency. Accompanied by whales, seagulls, and icebergs, they train on various rock faces before beginning their ascent of the seemingly impossible wall. It takes them 11 days to complete the climb, braving bad weather, the rock itself, the wilderness, and three different bivouac sites—all accompanied by music, of course! The return journey is not without its challenges, as they must avoid a cyclone and cross the Atlantic to reach Oben in Scotland.
Dodo's Delight - The Adventures Of The DodoDodo's Delight - The Adventures Of The Dodo · 2015
Dodo's Delight - The Adventures Of The Dodo
10.02015
MovieAdventureDocumentary

Filmography

Sort
Notes From The WallNotes From The Wall · 2017
Notes From The Wall
10.02017
MovieDocumentaryAdventure
"Notes From The Wall" (2017) is a climbing documentary directed by Guillaume Lion. It follows three of Belgium's top mountaineers – Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, Nicolas Favresse, and Siebe Vanhee – in their audacious attempt to free climb one of Patagonia's greatest walls. For 19 days, on El Regalo de Mwono (1,200 meters), in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, the team faced extreme weather conditions, technical difficulties, and the mental exhaustion of long days and nights spent on this vertical face. Much more than just an ascent, "Notes from the Wall" captures the raw spirit of adventure, intense camaraderie, and moments of humor that punctuate the ascent of these elite climbers pushing their limits and reflecting on the meaning of climbing and friendship in one of the most spectacular—and unforgiving—climbing environments in the world.

Music

Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012 · 2012
Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012
10.02012
MovieAdventureDocumentary
Located in the heart of the Patagonian pampas, in Argentina's Chubut province, Piedra Parada's monolith rises up from the surrounding desert. Lying just to the north, the majestic 200-meter monolith La Buitrera Canyon was home to the 10th anniversary Petzl RocTrip in November 2012. For more than a week, climbers from all over the world came together to share a common passion: climbing. Thanks to the hard work of a team of Argentinean and international route developers, La Buitrera Canyon, 5 km long with towering cliffs up to 200m high, is now one of Argentina's major climbing spots. For the tenth edition of the Petzl RocTrip, more than 1500 people climbed in the wind, dust, heat, and cold, for an unforgettable Patagonian experience! As every year since 2002, the Petzl RocTrip is an opportunity for climbers to come together for a shared passion in a friendly atmosphere. Featuring Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Dave Graham, Charlotte Durif, Dani Andrada, Daniel Du Lac, and Nina Caprez.
Vertical Sailing GreenlandVertical Sailing Greenland · 2011
Vertical Sailing Greenland
8.02011
MovieAdventureDocumentary
A "team of savages," as their boat captain Bob Shepton calls them, comprised of Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Olivier Favresse, Nicolas Favresse, and Ben Ditto, set off for Greenland to attempt a first big wall climb. Arriving in Asia by plane, they prepare the sailboat for two months of self-sufficiency. Accompanied by whales, seagulls, and icebergs, they train on various rock faces before beginning their ascent of the seemingly impossible wall. It takes them 11 days to complete the climb, braving bad weather, the rock itself, the wilderness, and three different bivouac sites—all accompanied by music, of course! The return journey is not without its challenges, as they must avoid a cyclone and cross the Atlantic to reach Oben in Scotland.

Editor