Spring 2009. Valery Babanov: Annapurna West face expedition.

Annapurna (8091m) West face

The new expedition of Valery Babanov (sponsored by Bask, Stellox, Grivel, Scarpa, Julbo, Beal) will begin on March 17 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The goal of the expedition is to climb new route on the West face of Annapurna (8091 m) in Himalayas.

Annapurna is one of the most dangerous 8000 m mountains with the least amount of people that were able to reach its summit.

Although it is the first 8000 m mountain that was climbed by the human being (in 1950), this summit continues to be one of the most difficult in Himalayas.

Up until now, there are only two routes, and only four people (Messner and Kamerlander in 1985, and two people from Czech Republic in 1988) were able to reach its summit from the NW side.

Nevertheless these two routes go off to the ridge from the very beginning of the West side, and further lead to the summit, they are both considered to be extremely difficult.

The center of the West side continues to be unclimbed; even though, it was attempted. Yet none of them made it to the top.

The partner of Valery Babanov is Viktor Afanasyev from Russia. In summer 2008, together Valery and Viktor climbed two new routes in Karakorum (to Broad peak (8047 m) and to Gasherbrum –I (8035 m) for less than a month.

Valery and Viktor are planning to climb in a light alpine style without fixed ropes.

Official website: http://babanov.com

21.03.2009