Diamond jubilee of Annapurna ascent begins

NARCHYANG (MYAGDI), JUNE 1:The Diamond Jubilee celebrations marking the first ascent of Mt Annapurna have officially commenced.

The event was inaugurated with a welcome ceremony for a team that trekked from Narchyang in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi, to the base camp of Mt Annapurna. The welcoming took place on Saturday at the entry point of the trekking route, Narchyang Valley.

Among the trekkers was Mathias Herzog, son of Maurice Herzog—the first person to summit the 8,091-meter-high Mt Annapurna. Mathias was part of a 14-member team consisting of foreigners, tourism entrepreneurs, and journalists who began their trek on Sunday. The Ward Office of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 welcomed the group, the Annapurna Janajagaran Youth Club, and the Creative Mothers' Group.

In honor of the historic ascent, accompanying French artists gave a musical performance dedicated to Maurice Herzog. They are also scheduled to perform at Annapurna Base Camp later this evening.

The Diamond Jubilee team includes six guests from France, three from the UK, five from India, and one from Italy—among them Maurice Herzog’s son Mathias and grandson Ethan. They are participating in the celebrations at the invitation of the Government of Nepal, said Lok Bahadur Pun, Ward Chair of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4.

According to him, approximately 200 people are taking part in the Maurice Herzog trekking team, which is reaching Annapurna Base Camp at an altitude of 4,100 meters today. The team is following the route via Narchyang Valley, Humkhola, Phutphute Jharana, Sandhikharka, Bhusket, and Panchkunda Lake.

The Diamond Jubilee will be marked by various events and programs through June 5, said Bharat Kumar Pun, Chair of Annapurna Rural Municipality.

Mt Annapurna is often referred to as the "eldest mountain" as it was the first peak above 8,000 meters to be successfully climbed. On June 3, 1950, the French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached its summit, marking a historic moment in mountaineering history.