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Annapurna South Face Climbed Again

Two elite alpine climbers are safe after spending eight days on the Annapurna's South Face, which took Ueli Steck only 28 hours

Yannick Graziani and Stephane Benoist reached the summit of Annapurna via the south face on October 24th and have been taken by helicopter to Kathmandu. Benoist is reported to have suffered frostbite. After eight days of climbing they reached the summit of Annapurna, 8,091 m, up the huge, difficult south face, probably following the same route that. The two expert French guides took eight days for the climb, finding the face in bad if not terrible conditions, whereas Steck was up and down in only 28 hours. There is no proof that Steck reached the summit as he dropped his camera on the route. It’s clear that eight days on the south face is right at the limit of what is possible. The climbers are recovering. This story is will develop throughout the week.

Yannick Graziani (Alpine Guide, Chamonix) – among his most important climbs the first ascent of Chomolonzo in 2005 (nominated for the Piolet d’Or), Pumari Chhish, 7,350 m,in 2007, and the S face of Nemjung, 7,140  m, in 2009, Makalu SE crest in 2004.

Stephane Benoist (Alpine Guide from Nice) – among his most important climbs the N face of Thalay Sagar, 6,904 m, for which he was nominated for the Piolet d’Or 2003. In 2008 the new route on the S face of Nuptse for his second Piolet d’Or nomination.

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