Nepal commemorates French expedition's conquest of Annapurna

Nepal celebrated on Tuesday the 75th anniversary of the first ascent of Annapurna, the world's tenth highest peak, in 1950 by Frenchmen Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, a landmark feat in the annals of Himalayan climbing, paving the way for subsequent expeditions to the country.

Some 200 people gathered at base camp on Tuesday to commemorate the anniversary. They applauded when the golden statues of Herzog, Lachenal, and Nepalese guide Sonam Walung Sherpa, a member of the expedition, were unveiled, and wrapped traditional scarves around their necks.

"This is a historic event," Him Bahadur Gurung, local official of Annapurna Rural Municipality, told AFP.

"Maurice introduced Nepal to the world by climbing Annapurna, at a time when people didn't know... that it could be an adventure," he said.

Dozens of people also participated in a 42.5 km downhill marathon from Annapurna Base Camp.

"We are grateful to Herzog for opening the doors to tourists who have contributed to the development of our village," said resident Radha Gurung, 40.

Maurice Herzog (1919 - 2012), author of the cult book "Annapurna, the first 8000", described his arrival at the summit as the highlight of his life, even though he and the members of the expedition paid a high price for this conquest: frostbite, amputations, descent and evacuation in trying conditions.

Climbing Annapurna is difficult and dangerous, with the mortality rate on this avalanche-prone peak being higher than on Everest.

Since that first attempt, more than 400 people have reached the summit of Everest.

Upon his return to France, Maurice Herzog was celebrated as a national hero.

Three years after conquering Annapurna, Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Everest, the world's highest peak, for the first time.

Maurice Herzog died in France in 2012 at the age of 93.