THE 2008 ANNAPURNA SOUTH FACE/EAST RIDGE EXPEDITION
 | Located in the central Himalaya region of Nepal, the summit of Annapurna is highly coveted ground. Of the fourteen 8000 meter mountains on earth, none has seen fewer attempts or successful summits as Annapurna. To date, less than 160 people have stood on her summit, compared to 3000+ total Everest summits, and 265 total summits on K2. The venerable Maurice Herzog first successfully climbed the mountain in 1950, four years before Everest's summit was reached, testimony to the difficult nature and elusive reputation of the mountain. |
| Iņaki Ochoa - a climbing ace - lost on Annapurna |
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Emotionally distraught Don called his Support Team: "...He died! He died!... I can't believe it! He died!..." Then Don burst into tears and wept! Moments later as he tried to compose himself he exclaimed: "I've gotta go now. We have to get to Ueli. He needs our help!" (MountEverest.net/Madrid) In spite off all efforts, Iñaki couldn't make it. Further pulmonary complications had worsened up his state, until he passed away at 12.30 pm, local time. Ueli Steck, the Swiss high altitude mountaineer, was with the sick Spaniard, trying to reanimate him until the end. Don's heartfelt thoughts and prayers and sympathy goes out to Iñaki's family as well as to his home team, Horia Colibasanu (Iñaki's climbing mate) and all those who have supported and closely followed the extraordinary 8000 m career of Iñaki - a climbing ace! |
In spite of loads of snow and fighting exhaustion above C3. Don and his fellow rescuers were pressing on to Inaki and Ueli when the sad news reached them.
