Klemen was born in Slovenia in a small town called Kamnik. Growing up in the Alps, he started skiing and hiking as soon as he could walk. Klemen joined the Kamnik Alpine Club in 1989, where he had a chance to meet and climb with world hardcore alpinists. During the winter seasons he excelled at alpine backcountry skiing, achieving many first ski ascents in the Slovenian Alps. Motivated by his need to travel and explore, he climbed around the world: Alaska – Kichatna Spires Denali Range, Canada, South America’s Andes, and the Karakoram – Pakistan Himalaya. Shifting his focus to teaching alpine safety, Klemen became a certified IFMGA Mountain Guide in 2006, and regularly teaches mountaineering and crevasse rescue courses. His hobbies include developing new climbing areas around the world, traveling, and photography. He speaks English, Spanish and Slovenian.