Annapurna is a series of peaks in the Himalaya 55-km-long massif whose highest point, Annapurna I, stands at 8,091 m (26,538 ft), making it the 10th-highest summit in the world. It is located east of a great gorge cut through the Himalaya by the Kali Gandaki river, which separates it from the Dhaulagiri massif. Annapurna is a Sanskrit name which is translated as Goddess of the Harvests.
Annapurna I was the first 8,000 meter peak to be climbed. Maurice Herzong and Louis Lachenal, of a French expedition, reached the summit on June 3 1950. The south face of Annapurna was first climbed in 1970 by a British expedition led by Chris Bonington and including the Alpine Ian Clough, who was killed by a falling ice-pillar during the descent. In 1978 an expedition led by Arlene Blum became the first American team to climb Annapurna I. The expedition was also remarkable for being composed entirely of women. On February 3, 1987, Jerzy Kukuczka and Artur Hajzer, a Polish climber, made the first ascent of a eight-thousander in winter.
Annapurna I was the first 8,000 meter peak to be climbed. Maurice Herzong and Louis Lachenal, of a French expedition, reached the summit on June 3 1950. The south face of Annapurna was first climbed in 1970 by a British expedition led by Chris Bonington and including the Alpine Ian Clough, who was killed by a falling ice-pillar during the descent. In 1978 an expedition led by Arlene Blum became the first American team to climb Annapurna I. The expedition was also remarkable for being composed entirely of women. On February 3, 1987, Jerzy Kukuczka and Artur Hajzer, a Polish climber, made the first ascent of a eight-thousander in winter.
