
The West
Ridge Direct, was attempted by the French in 1974 resulting in
6 deaths. The six died in an avalanche at around 6600 meters
on the way to the Summit. they were the 31-36th deaths on
Everest.
31 |
Gerard
Devouassoux |
9/9/74 |
West
Ridge Direct |
Avalanche |
32 |
Lhakpa
Sherpa |
9/9/74 |
West
Ridge Direct |
Avalanche |
33 |
Sanu
Wongal Sherpa |
9/9/74 |
West
Ridge Direct |
Avalanche |
34 |
Pemba
Dorje Sherpa |
9/9/74 |
West
Ridge Direct |
Avalanche |
35 |
Nawang
Lutuk Sherpa |
9/9/74 |
West
Ridge Direct |
Avalanche |
36 |
Nima
Wangchu Sherpa |
9/9/74 |
West
Ridge Direct |
Avalanche |
This line of following
the ridge to the Summit rather than veering on the North Face
line of Tom Hornbein and William Unsoeld has proved to be
deadly on Everest.
On May 13,
1979: Andrej Stremfelj and Jernej (aka Nejc) Zaplotnik reached
the Summit via the true West ridge and descend via the
Hornbein Couloir. This
large Yugoslav expedition was lead by Tone Skarja. The Summits
successfully ended two-months' endeavors of the Yugoslav
expedition. The Slovenian Route along the Western Ridge of
Everest still ranks among the toughest Everest routes. Two
days later more members of the same team summited: the
Slovenian Stane Belak-Srauf, the Croatian Stipe Bozic and Ang
Phu Sherpa. All the Summiters descended via the Hornbein
Couloir; Ang Phu Sherpa who fell to his death while descending
the Hornbein. Bottled
oxygen was used during the climb. Therefore the first 2
attempts at the west ridge direct resulted in 5 Summits
with only 4 climbers making it back down with a total of 7 Deaths.
Note: Nejc is a nickname of Jernej Zaplotnik.
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Altitech2:
Digital Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer. Time/Date/Alarms.
Chronograph with 24 hour working range. Timer with stop, repeat and up
function. Rotating Bezel. Leveling bubble. Carabiner latch. E.L. 3 second
backlight. Water resistant. 4" x 2-1/4" x 3/4" 2 oz. Requires 1 CR2032
battery.
See more here. |
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