Annapurna and Everest Solo Attempts. I made an unsuccessful attempt on the south face of Annapurna, which reached 5800 meters on April 6, but there was too much snow, which hid dangerous crevasses, and falling séracs. I then got to 7800 meters on the Bonington route on Everest on April 20.I put in eleven hours non-stop from Base Camp to reach that point at three A.M. but had to halt my ascent because of very strong winds and clouds on the summits of Lhotse and Everest. I was also experiencing severe pain in my left knee, for which it has been necessary to return to France for an operation.

Marc Batard, Club Alpin Français