Asia, Nepal, Annapurna Ascent and Tragedy

Publication Year: 1982.

Annapurna Ascent and Tragedy. A Japanese expedition pioneered a new route between the 1970 British and the 1981 Polish routes on the south face of Annapurna. They established Base Camp at 13,400 feet in the upper Modi Khola on August 28. They had prepared the route to 21,000 feet by October 5 but the Sherpas could not climb the rock band above. They placed Camp V at 24,950 feet on October 20. Yukihiro Yanagisawa and Hiroshi Aota reached the summit on October 29. On the 31st Haruyuki Endo and Yasuji Kato were heading for the summit when Kato fell to his death. Endo did not continue the summit attempt. More details and pictures are found in Iwa To Yuki N° 86 and 87.