Makalu Attempt. Three Spaniards and a Canadian were led by Antonio Luna in an attempt on the normal route on Makalu. All four reached 7500 meters on the north ridge on October 10. Strong winds drove them down the mountain. Three went straight to Base Camp while the Canadian, Mario Blasevich, stopped in Camp III at 7400 meters for the night. While descending from Camp III, he caught his crampon in his trouser leg and fell 300 meters, landing about 20 meters away from Camp II. The other members were unaware of his fall, but on October 14 they went up and found him in Camp II with a knee injury and serious frostbite. This put an end to the expedition for it took all the team’s strength to evacuate Blasevich.

Michael J. Cheney, Himalayan Club, and Elizabeth Hawley