MYAGDI: The 76th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Annapurna is being marked today, celebrating the historic climb that placed the 8,091-metre peak on the world mountaineering map and helped pave the way for Nepal’s adventure tourism industry.
Standing at 8,091 meters, Annapurna lies across the districts of Myagdi, Kaski, Manang, and Mustang. Its base camp is located in Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 in Myagdi.
Annapurna holds a special place in mountaineering history as the first mountain above 8,000 metres to be successfully climbed. On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached its summit. The achievement came three years before the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.
Bharat Kumar Pun, Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, said a series of events are being organized to commemorate the historic achievement that helped introduce Nepal to the world of mountaineering and laid the foundation for the country’s tourism industry.
As part of the celebrations, Annapurna Rural Municipality in Kaski has organized a running competition toward the Annapurna Base Camp via Ghandruk, while Dordi Rural Municipality in Lamjung is observing Annapurna Climbing Day to promote a new trekking route.
According to the Department of Tourism, 27 climbers from four expedition teams obtained permits to scale Annapurna during this spring climbing season. A total of 536 climbers had successfully summited the mountain by last year. Department Branch Officer Sharmila Banjade said records of successful ascents from this season are still being updated.
The celebrations will conclude today with a 36-kilometre race from Annapurna Base Camp to Narchyang, followed by a cultural programme and prize distribution ceremony, according to Lok Bahadur Fagami, ward chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4.
The open race features 20 participants. The winner will receive Rs 100,000, while the runner-up and third-place finisher will receive Rs 60,000 and Rs 35,000 respectively. Three consolation prize winners will each receive Rs 10,000.
The race has been organized with technical support from the Nepal Former Athletes Forum and the Gandaki Province Athletics Association. The anniversary programme, which began on Monday, will conclude with the prize distribution and cultural performances in Narchyang.
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