Baruntse Pre-Monsoon Ascent and Attempt. An expedition of 4 Swiss climbed Baruntse by the normal southeast ridge from the west. On May 4, leader Thomas Pfennninger, Hans Landolt, Fräulein Claudia Müller and Christoph Rothlisberger climbed to the summit (7129 meters, 23,389 feet). Led by Martin Otta, 7 Czechs attempted the north ridge from the west, getting to the north summit (7014 meters, 23,012 feet) on May 6. From the bergschrund, they climbed straight up through a rock band, to the right up an ice ramp before continuing left onto the north ridge and the usual route.

Elizabeth Hawley