Everest Attempt. Xavier Murillo, Pierre and Annie Beghin and I were helicoptered to Namche Bazar on September 21. We were at Base Camp on the 24th. The weather was beautiful. The rest of the international expedition led by Swiss Fredy Graf had made the route through the icefall and was trying for the summit. I left alone for 7400 meters on September 26. I rested there until 1:30 A.M. before leaving for the South Col, which I reached at four A.M. I spent two hours resting and drinking. I caught up to three Swiss making their summit bid at 8500 meters at eleven o’clock. At twelve noon we were at 8600 meters. The wind was very strong and it was snowing. The Swiss descended and I kept on for 50 meters more. I then descended to 7400 meters to sleep. I was back in Base Camp the next day. Then it was bad weather for the whole month of October. I stayed on till October 24. [He must be the first person to have reached 8600 meters on this route without having slept on the South Col.—Editor. ]

Eric Escofher, Club Alpin Français