Maurice Herzog’s 1950 ascent of Annapurna I marked mountaineering milestone

Annapurna I is often referred to as the “elder” mountain in the history of mountaineering, as it was climbed before the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. French climber Maurice Herzog successfully ascended the 8,091-meter Annapurna I on June 3, 1950, marking a significant milestone in mountaineering history. Herzog’s team made the ascent from the northern base camp in Myagdi, drawing global attention to the field of mountaineering.

Following the successful ascent of Annapurna I, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary conquered Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. Annapurna’s ascent sparked increased interest in the region, and by 1966, renowned trekker Eric Shipton had trekked to the 4,130-meter Annapurna Base Camp, gradually turning the area into a popular trekking destination.

The ascent by Herzog’s team also boosted tourism in Gandaki Province, with the arrival of “hippie” tourists in Pokhara starting in the 1960s. Experts note that Annapurna is closely linked to the region’s tourism development.

To highlight the significance of Annapurna I, the Annapurna Century Tourism Committee has been organizing the Annapurna Marathon annually since 2075. Lalit Gurung, the committee’s president and marathon coordinator, mentioned that the first Annapurna Festival was held at the base camp in 2074, with the then-chairperson of the Development Committee of the House of Representatives, Rabindra Adhikari, as the chief guest. The sixth edition of the marathon is set for Jestha 20 (June 3) this year.

The marathon starts at the Annapurna Base Camp, situated at 4,130 meters above sea level, and covers a distance of 42.195 kilometers to Ghandruk. While trekkers typically take three days to complete this route, marathon winners have been finishing it in just over four hours. In previous editions, winners completed the route in times ranging from four hours and 16 minutes to four hours and 27 minutes.

The marathon route passes through Machapuchare Base Camp, Bagar Deurali, Hinku Cave, Himalaya, Dobhan, Sinuwa, Bhanuwa, Chhomrong, Taulu, Ghorepani, Chuile, Melanche, Komrong Danda, Kimrong Khola, and finally ends in Ghandruk, according to Mikas Gurung, the committee’s secretary.

Marking 76 years since the first ascent of Annapurna I, the previous marathon edition was celebrated as a diamond jubilee. This year, 40 runners, including 13 foreigners, have registered for the race, with notable participation from Argentine runner Pablo Ureta. The top three male and female runners will receive cash prizes of Rs 150,000, Rs 100,000, and Rs 75,000, respectively, along with certificates, as stated by publicity coordinator Tankaraj Adhikari.

The marathon’s appeal continues to grow due to the region’s stunning natural beauty and adventurous trails. It contributes significantly to the promotion of Himalayan tourism in Gandaki Province and Nepal as a whole. Despite the presence of many high peaks in Gandaki, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu, mountaineering has not progressed as expected. Events like this marathon hold special significance in boosting the region’s profile.

Gandaki Province is home to several mountain ranges, including the Annapurna range, which features peaks over 7,000 meters such as Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, and Baraha Shikhar. The range also includes Tilicho Peak, Nilgiri, and Lamjung Himal.