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Annapurna Circuit - Road Construction Near Tal Village

Annapurna Circuit - Road Construction Near Tal Village (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Manaslu Southwest Face From Chame

Annapurna Circuit - Manaslu Southwest Face From Chame (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Sunrise On Annapurna II From Koto

Annapurna Circuit - Sunrise On Annapurna II From Koto (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Annapurna II Full Summit Ridge From Ghyaru

Annapurna Circuit - Annapurna II Full Summit Ridge From Ghyaru (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Dharapani to Manang - Looking Towards Manang From Ghyaru

Annapurna Circuit - Dharapani to Manang - Looking Towards Manang From Ghyaru (click to enlarge)


Braga (3500m) is a Tibetan-style village of about 200 houses hiding behind a photogenic steep, eroded rock outcrop. The houses are stacked one atop the other, each with an open veranda formed by a neighbour’s rooftop. The gompa is perched on a high crag overlooking the village, and is estimated to be 400 to 500 years old. The gompa comprises three main buildings and belongs to the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Braga (3500m) is a Tibetan-style village of about 200 houses hiding behind a photogenic steep, eroded rock outcrop. (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Annapurna IV Sunset From Manang

Annapurna Circuit - Annapurna IV Sunset From Manang (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Gangapurna Sunrise From Manang

Annapurna Circuit - Gangapurna Sunrise From Manang (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - La Grande Barriere and Tilicho Peak Sunrise From Manang

Annapurna Circuit - La Grande Barriere and Tilicho Peak Sunrise From Manang (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Nayapul To Ghorepani - Hille

Annapurna Circuit - Nayapul To Ghorepani - Hille (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill Waiting For Sunrise With A Full Moon

Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill Waiting For Sunrise With A Full Moon (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Dhaulagiri At Sunrise

Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Dhaulagiri At Sunrise (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Tukuche Peak At Sunrise

Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Tukuche Peak At Sunrise (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Sunrise On Fang, Annapurna I, and Annapurna South

Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Sunrise On Fang, Annapurna I, and Annapurna South (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Dhaulagiri Just After Sunrise

Annapurna Circuit - Poon Hill - Dhaulagiri Just After Sunrise (click to enlarge)


Dhaulagiri Sunrise Close Up From Chitre

Dhaulagiri Sunrise Close Up From Chitre (click to enlarge)


Phu Village, Porters On Trail, Chako Above Tashi Lhakhang Gompa From Trail Near Phu

Phu Village, Porters On Trail, Chako Above Tashi Lhakhang Gompa From Trail Near Phu (click to enlarge)


Phu Village With Ridge Of Gyaji Kang Beyond

Phu Village With Ridge Of Gyaji Kang Beyond (click to enlarge)


View Of Trail Towards Kang La With Nar Village On Right

View Of Trail Towards Kang La With Nar Village On Right (click to enlarge)


People On The Roofs Of Houses In Nar Village Stacked With Hay And Cows Down Below

People On The Roofs Of Houses In Nar Village Stacked With Hay And Cows Down Below (click to enlarge)


Looking Down The Steep Eastern Side Of The Kang La To The Annapurna Curcuit

Looking Down The Steep Eastern Side Of The Kang La To The Annapurna Curcuit (click to enlarge)

 


Nilgiri South and Nilgiri Main Just After Leaving Ghorepani On Trek To Chomrong

Nilgiri South and Nilgiri Main Just After Leaving Ghorepani On Trek To Chomrong (click to enlarge)


Deurali Is Just Up Ahead Next To The Modi Khola On Trek To Annapurna Sanctuary

Deurali Is Just Up Ahead Next To The Modi Khola On Trek To Annapurna Sanctuary (click to enlarge)


Trail Towards Chomrong Across The Valley From Chiule With Khumnu Khola Below On The Way From Ghorepani To Chomrong

Trail Towards Chomrong Across The Valley From Chiule With Khumnu Khola Below On The Way From Ghorepani To Chomrong (click to enlarge)


Annapurna South Sunrise From Chomrong

Annapurna South Sunrise From Chomrong (click to enlarge)


Machapuchare close up at the head of the Modi Khola valley in the morning light.

Machapuchare close up at the head of the Modi Khola valley in the morning light. (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Base Camp Before Sunrise - Annapurna III,  Gabelhorn, Machapuchare

Annapurna Base Camp Before Sunrise - Annapurna III, Gabelhorn, Machapuchare (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Main, Central and East At Sunrise From Annapurna Base Camp In The Annapurna Sanctuary

Annapurna Main, Central and East At Sunrise From Annapurna Base Camp In The Annapurna Sanctuary (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Main, Central and East At Sunrise From Annapurna Base Camp In The Annapurna Sanctuary

Annapurna Main, Central and East At Sunrise From Annapurna Base Camp In The Annapurna Sanctuary (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Main (8091m), Central (8051m) and East (8026m) summits dominate the view at sunrise from Annapurna Sanctuary Base Camp.

Annapurna Main (8091m), Central (8051m) and East (8026m) summits dominate the view at sunrise from Annapurna Sanctuary Base Camp. (click to enlarge)


Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna Main, Central, East Summits After Sunrise From Annapurna Sanctuary Base Camp

Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna Main, Central, East Summits After Sunrise From Annapurna Sanctuary Base Camp (click to enlarge)


Pokhara Flight To Jomsom - Dhaulagiri And Ice Fall Close Up

Pokhara Flight To Jomsom - Dhaulagiri And Ice Fall Close Up (click to enlarge)


Looking Towards Nilgiri South From Near Tatopani

Looking Towards Nilgiri South From Near Tatopani (click to enlarge)


Annapurna  Northwest Face With Thulo Bugin Below From Lete

Annapurna Northwest Face With Thulo Bugin Below From Lete (click to enlarge)


Dhaulagiri South Face Close Up Early Morning From Lete

Dhaulagiri South Face Close Up Early Morning From Lete (click to enlarge)


Dhaulagiri Northeast Face Close Up From Before Tukuche

Dhaulagiri Northeast Face Close Up From Before Tukuche (click to enlarge)


Marpha View Towards North

Marpha View Towards North (click to enlarge)


Thini And Jomsom From Trail Towards Mesokanto La

Thini And Jomsom From Trail Towards Mesokanto La (click to enlarge)


Road From Jomsom To Kagbeni With Dhaulagiri

Road From Jomsom To Kagbeni With Dhaulagiri (click to enlarge)


Kagbeni Close Up

Kagbeni Close Up (click to enlarge)


As I ascended from Jharkot (3500m) towards Muktinath, I looked back to catch a magnificent view in the early morning sun of Jharkot.

As I ascended from Jharkot (3500m) towards Muktinath, I looked back to catch a magnificent view in the early morning sun of Jharkot. (click to enlarge)


Dhaulagiri North Face Close Up At Sunrise From Muktinath

Dhaulagiri North Face Close Up At Sunrise From Muktinath (click to enlarge)


Muktinath Chumig Gyatsa Water Spouts

Muktinath Chumig Gyatsa Water Spouts (click to enlarge)


Muktinath Jwala Mai Fire Temple Inside Statues Of Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani

Muktinath Jwala Mai Fire Temple Inside Statues Of Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Northwest Face To Fang Sunrise From Thulo Bugin River Camp

Annapurna Northwest Face To Fang Sunrise From Thulo Bugin River Camp (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Northwest Face To Fang From Ridge Above Miristi Khola

Annapurna Northwest Face To Fang From Ridge Above Miristi Khola (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Northwest Face Close Up From Ridge Above Miristi Khola

Annapurna Northwest Face Close Up From Ridge Above Miristi Khola (click to enlarge)


Nilgiri North Close Up At Sunrise From Camp Below Mesokanto La above Jomsom

Nilgiri North Close Up At Sunrise From Camp Below Mesokanto La above Jomsom (click to enlarge)


Dhaulagiri After Sunrise from Shepherd's Kharka

Dhaulagiri After Sunrise from Shepherd's Kharka (click to enlarge)


Fang Close Up From French First Annapurna North Base Camp Early Morning

Fang Close Up From French First Annapurna North Base Camp Early Morning (click to enlarge)


Annapurna Northwest Face Close Up From French First North Base Camp Early Morning

Annapurna Northwest Face Close Up From French First North Base Camp Early Morning (click to enlarge)


La Grande Barriere And The Trail To Tilicho Lake With Tilicho Base Camp Hotel Far Right

La Grande Barriere And The Trail To Tilicho Lake With Tilicho Base Camp Hotel Far Right (click to enlarge)


Roc Noir Khangsar Kang From Tilicho Base Camp Hotel

Roc Noir Khangsar Kang From Tilicho Base Camp Hotel (click to enlarge)


La Grande Barriere And Tilicho Peak With Tilicho Tal Lake Below At Sunrise From The Eastern Camp At 5036m

La Grande Barriere And Tilicho Peak With Tilicho Tal Lake Below At Sunrise From The Eastern Camp At 5036m (click to enlarge)


Eastern End Of Tilicho Tal Lake Close Up From Trail Between Eastern Camp And First Pass

Eastern End Of Tilicho Tal Lake Close Up From Trail Between Eastern Camp And First Pass (click to enlarge)


The First Pass Skirts This Large Rock Outcrop From The Eastern Tilicho Tal Lake Camp

The First Pass Skirts This Large Rock Outcrop From The Eastern Tilicho Tal Lake Camp (click to enlarge)


Trail Between Tilicho Tal Lake First Pass And Second Pass With Tukuche Peak And Dhampus Peak Beyond

Trail Between Tilicho Tal Lake First Pass And Second Pass With Tukuche Peak And Dhampus Peak Beyond (click to enlarge)


Dhaulagiri Close Up From Tilicho Tal Lake Second Pass 5246m

Dhaulagiri Close Up From Tilicho Tal Lake Second Pass 5246m (click to enlarge)


Tilicho Tal Lake From The Final Tilicho Tal Lake Viewpoint 5275m With Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tarke Kang Glacier Dome, Roc Noir Khangsar Kang and La Grand Barriere

Tilicho Tal Lake From The Final Tilicho Tal Lake Viewpoint 5275m With Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tarke Kang Glacier Dome, Roc Noir Khangsar Kang and La Grand Barriere (click to enlarge)


Climbing Sherpa Lal Singh Tamang, Pasang, Two Porters, Jerome Ryan, Cook Pemba Rinjii, Guide Gyan Tamang From The Final Tilicho Tal Lake Viewpoint 5275m Before Mesokanto La

Climbing Sherpa Lal Singh Tamang, Pasang, Two Porters, Jerome Ryan, Cook Pemba Rinjii, Guide Gyan Tamang From The Final Tilicho Tal Lake Viewpoint 5275m Before Mesokanto La (click to enlarge)


Fixed Ropes To Descend Down The Mesokanto La 5246m After Trekking Around The Tilicho Tal Lake

Fixed Ropes To Descend Down The Mesokanto La 5246m After Trekking Around The Tilicho Tal Lake (click to enlarge)


Looking Back Up At Trail Descending From The Mesokanto La 5246m After Trekking Around The Tilicho Tal Lake

Looking Back Up At Trail Descending From The Mesokanto La 5246m After Trekking Around The Tilicho Tal Lake (click to enlarge)


The South and North Faces of Dhaulagiri blazed at sunrise from the camp just below the Mesokanto La.

The South and North Faces of Dhaulagiri blazed at sunrise from the camp just below the Mesokanto La. (click to enlarge)


Tukuche Peak Close Up At Sunrise From Camp Below Mesokanto La

Tukuche Peak Close Up At Sunrise From Camp Below Mesokanto La (click to enlarge)


Nilgiri North Close Up At Sunrise From Camp Below Mesokanto La above Jomsom

Nilgiri North Close Up At Sunrise From Camp Below Mesokanto La above Jomsom (click to enlarge)

Updated: January 2014. Click on an image to see the FULL size with a caption.


Annapurna - 8091m - #10 in the world

What is the most popular mountaineering book of all time? Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air? No. It's Maurice Herzog's Annapurna with over 15 million copies sold worldwide since it was first published in 1952. It has been translated into over 50 different languages.

Annapurna (8091m) is the tenth highest mountain in the world. The name supposedly means “Goddess of the Harvests.” Annapurna is thought of as a menacing peak with a deadly reputation. With an overall summit/fatality rate of 40%, many climbers leave Annapurna for last. Such was the case of Juan Oiarzabal, Alberto Inurrategi, and Ed Viesturs.

The major peaks on the Annapurna range are Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III(7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Gangapurna (7455m), Annapurna South (7219m), and Machapuchare (6993m).

Chris Bonington describes the Annapurna Sanctuary in his 1970 book Annapurna South Face: "Lt.-Col. J. O. M. Roberts, an officer in the gurkhas and a very experienced mountaineer, was the first European to penetrate the Sanctuary, the huge glacier basin to the south of Annapurna. Its only exit is the Modi Khola, a narrow gorge leading down into the foothills and eventually to the plains of India. This is one of the most incredible glacier basins in the world. Its entrance is guarded on one side by the towering spire of Machapuchare, showing on its flank a sheer rock wall leading up to the summit, and on the other side by Hiunchuli, a 21,000-foot ice peak, still unclimbed. From its Christmas-cake summit a razor-edged ice ridge curls round the summit of Modi Peak [Annapurna South] (22,999 feet); from there the basin is contained by a fluted wall of ice, broken by steep rock buttresses, past the Fang and on to Annapurna, whose three huge buttresses, reminiscent of those of the north side of the Grandes Jorasses in the French Alps, dominate the basin. Beyond Annapurna I the wall becomes more broken, with a whole series of subsidiary ridges and peaks jutting into the sanctuary. There is Glacier Dome (23,191 feet), the squat triangle of Ganapurna (24,457 feet) and Annapurna III (24,787 feet), whence the eastern retaining wall of the Sanctuary curves down to embrace Machapuchare."

In the Annapurna area I have trekked from Dharapani to Manang, Jomsom to Muktinath and back to the Annapurna Sanctuary. I hired a small crew to guide me through the very wild and difficult trek to Annapurna North Base Camp.


Annapurna First Ascent - Maurice Herzog On Annapurna Summit on June 3, 1950

But Victory Is Ours - Maurice Herzog Showing His Frost Bitten Hands

Annapurna First Ascent

In 1950, a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog wanted to try either Dhaulagiri ro Annapurna. Because the maps at the time were incorrect, the team initially floundered looking for a route to either Dhaulagiri or Annapurna. Deciding that Dhaulagiri was too difficult, they found their way to the North Face of Annapurna.

They quickly, and luckily, raced up the mountain. On June 3, 1950 Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna without oxygen. The descent turned into a nightmare with Herzog losing his gloves and his hands become frostbitten and Lachenal's feet becoming frostbitten. Both barely make it back to camp. Lionel Terray and Gaston Rebuffat help them, but the weather turns into a white-out. They wander around helplessly before finding a crevasse to spend the night. They were caught in an avalanche. The medical treatment they received by the expedition doctor was unbelievable and almost primitive.

Herzog wrote the book Annapurna, which became the most widely-read and influential mountaineering book ever published. Annapurna was the first 8000m mountain to be climbed, with Herzog becoming a national hero.

Other Notable Annapurna Ascents

The first ascent of the massive South Face of Annapurna was completed on May 27, 1970 by Dougal Haston and Don Whillans on a British expedition led by Chris Bonington. This climb was a breakthrough into a new dimension of Himalayan climbing on the great walls of the highest mountains in the world.

The all women 1978 American Woman's Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I was led by Arlene Blum and featured their famous t-shirt slogan "A Woman’s Place Is on the Top”. On October 15, 1978 Vera Komarkova, Irene Beardsley, Chewang and Mingma made it to the summit of Annapurna. Happiness quickly turned to tragedy when the second summit team Vera Watson and Alison Chadwick died the next day, falling on their way to Camp V.

The first ascent of Annapurna by the 7.5 km long East Ridge was completed on October 24, 1984 by Swiss climbers Norbert Joos and Erhard Loretan. They descended from the summit by the historic route on the Annapurna North Face.

The first ascent of the Annapurna Northwest Face was completed on April 24, 1985 by Reinhold Messner and Hans Kammerlander.

The first ascent of Annapurna in winter was completed on February 3, 1987 by Polish climbers Jerzy Kukuczka and Artur Hajzer.


Annapurna - my most viewed Youtube Videos

 

Annapurna South, Fang, Annapaurna Main Central and East, Roc Noir, Tent Peak, Annapurna III, Machapuchare

 

Annapurna, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machapuchare, Nepal

 

Trek Past Tilicho Tal Lake In The Annapurna Region Of Nepal with views of Gangapurna, La Grande Barriere, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Mesokanto La

 

Trekking from Phu Entrance Gate to Phu Village with views of Ruined Dzong, Chortens, Mani Stones, Chako, Taski Lhakhang Gompa, Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche, Buddha, White Tara, Phu Village

 

Trek from Manang To Tilicho Tal Lake in The Annapurna Region of Nepal with views of Gangapurna, La Grande Barriere, Khangsar, Tilicho Base Camp, Roc Noir Khangsar Kang, Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli