The Annapurna III massiv with the stunning south east ridge seen from Basecamp in early morning light. Photo by Red Bull Menk Rufibach / Red Bull Content Pool Pool

Annapurna III Unclimbed: the David Lama, Hansjörg Auer and Alex Blümel climbing documentary

22.12.2017 di di Planetmountain

The short film Annapurna III Unclimbed that documents the 2016 attempt by Austrian alpinists David Lama, Hansjörg Auer and Alex Blümel to ascend the virgin SE Ridge of Annapurna III (7555m) in the Himalaya.

For more than three decades the SE Ridge of Annapurna III has been recognised as one of the last great problems in Himalayan mountaineering. This frighteningly beautiful, difficult and exposed crest was first attempted in 1981 by the British mountaineers Nick Colton and Tim Leach who, climbing alpine style, pushed their way up to 6500 meters before being forced to abandon their inspirational attempt. Despite all the efforts that have followed since, even today this 2500 meter ridge line across the highest Himalayan altitudes remains one of the biggest and most elusive prizes of all.

In early 2016 an exceptional trio of Austrian alpinists, David Lama, Hansjörg Auer and Alex Blümel travelled to Nepal for five weeks to solve this dangerous puzzle. The result, despite their undisputed class and all their efforts, was three bivouacs and a turnaround at 6550 meters circa. Once again, as documented in this award-winning short, Annapurna III remained unclimbed.







Link: FB David Lama, www.david-lama.com, FB Hansjörg Auer, www.hansjoerg-auer.at