A Climber's Tale

[Left] Jean-Christope Lafaille at home in Vallorcrine, France. [Right] The 4000-meter south face of Annapurna I (8091m), Nepal Himalaya, Lafaille and his partner, Pierre Beghin, reached 7400 meters on the face before retreating in a storm. Beghin died at 7100 meters when the anchor pulled during a rappel. Lafaille was left to attempt a new route, solo, on the left side of the face, reaching 7500 meters. In 1998 he attempted the same line, this time with Mario and Salvatore Panzeri, but Ang Tsering Sherpa was killed at 6100 meters by an avalanche, forcing a retreat. In 2002 he finally succeeded, climbing the east (right skyline) ridge with Alberto Inurrategi. [Photo] Philippe Poulet and John Porter/ Chris Bonington Collection