Seventy-five years ago, the record-breaking ascent of Annapurna Himal by a team led by Maurice Herzog of France had exposed the potential of Nepal’s mountaineering to the international arena. Three years after the team of Maurice and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna on June 3, 1950, the successful ascent of Everest took place. France celebrated a three-day national celebration after Herzog and Lachenal set a record by successfully climbing a mountain higher than eight thousand meters for the first time.
Annapurna: The First of the 8000ers
Annapurna is called the oldest mountain because it was the first human to set foot on a mountain higher than eight thousand meters, said Maniraj Lamichhane, head of the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Office, Pokhara. “The book written by Maurice, which includes his experience of climbing Annapurna, has played an important role in exposing Nepal’s mountaineering tourism to the world market,” he said. “The tourists who come to see the mountains of the Annapurna range and visit the circular Annapurna trekking route have benefited not only Pokhara and Gandaki Province, but also the country.”
The Legacy of Maurice Herzog in Nepal
According to Chief Lamichhane, there is an interrelation between Maurice Herzog, the mountains of the Annapurna range, Pokhara, Gandaki Province, and the tourism sector of Nepal. Tourism entrepreneurs say that the book titled ‘First Step in Annapurna’ written by Maurice has sold 200 million copies. The book is one of the best-selling books in the world, said Krishna Acharya, Vice President of Trekking Agencies Association (TAAN) Gandaki.
“After we climbed the Annapurna Himal, the French went to the mountains higher than eight thousand meters,” Herzog wrote in his book. “After hoisting the French flag on the mountain, there was a commotion as to how they climbed those mountains, who were they? The eyes of people all over the world were opened.”
Herzog’s Ordeal and Heroic Descent from Annapurna
At the age of thirty-one, after both his hands and both legs were eaten away by snow during the Annapurna climb, the Sherpas carried him down the mountain and brought him to the base camp. Born on January 15, 1919 in Lyon, France, Herzog passed away on December 13, 2012 at the age of 93.
National Honors and Political Legacy of Maurice Herzog
After returning to his birthplace after receiving general treatment in New Delhi, India, he went to the United States and got artificial limbs after not receiving good treatment in France. The then Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher had sent a letter to Herzog inviting him. A team including Louis and doctor Marcelo, who were on the climbing trip with Herzog, met Mohan Shamsher. The then government organized a ceremony in Kathmandu and honored Herzog with the Gorkha Cross medal. The medal Herzog received is the highest level of honor received by a foreign citizen from the Nepalese government.
The French government elected him as the Minister of Sports, Member of Parliament, and Mayor of the city of Samoni for almost a decade because he made world history by climbing the mountain. Herzog has mentioned in his book, ‘What Happens and Doesn’t Happen When Climbing the Mountain’ that he remained single and got married after climbing Annapurna.
Maurice Herzog Trek: Rediscovering the Historic Route to Annapurna Base Camp
Herzog’s team reached the Annapurna Base Camp with 250 porters to climb Annapurna. According to the Department of Tourism, 532 people have climbed Annapurna so far.
The fact that the Annapurna Himal and the base camp are in Myagdi was identified in 2068 BS under the leadership of Tej Gurung of Narchyang and the trekking route was identified. The Annapurna Rural Municipality named the trekking route ‘Maurice Herzog’ in 2077 BS.
Agua Gurung said that after Herzog, who came to Narchang, the entry point of the trek, was informed about the route and base camp used by Herzog during the climb, a team of locals conducted research on the trek.
“Until two decades ago, the fact that the Annapurna Base Camp was located in the geography of Myagdi and the trekking route leading there were not identified,” he said. “After identifying the trekking route, building infrastructure and promoting it, the Annapurna Base Camp and the Maurice Herzog Trek have become a tourist destination in the last two years.”
Nepal’s Untouched Beauty Along the Maurice Herzog Trail
Two local levels of Kaski and Myagdi have been named after the Annapurna Himal. The Annapurna Circular Trek that circumnavigates the Annapurna Himal is considered a world-famous trekking route. The Annapurna Base Camp, where Herzog created history, and the trekking route he used have been developed as a tourist destination by identifying, building infrastructure and promoting it.
Bharat Kumar Pun, Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality, said that a 20-kilometer road has been prepared from Narchang to Humkhola and a 22-kilometer basic level trekking route from Humkhola to the base camp has been prepared. Annapurna Base Camp, which can be reached in two days by foot, is a ‘virgin’ destination for tourists.
The base camp can be reached by observing the banks of the Mistri Khola, which flows from the foothills of the Annapurna and Nilgiri Himals, high waterfalls, beautiful mountain ranges, unique geography, mountains, rare flora, and wildlife.
Chairman Pun said that the rural municipality has prepared an integrated master plan and started building infrastructure for upgrading the trekking route, building a suspension bridge over the river, expanding the capacity of the shelter, managing drinking water, toilets, communication, electricity facilities, and security.
Diamond Jubilee of Annapurna Climbing
Each year, Annapurna Climbing Day is commemorated with various programs in Nepal and internationally. This year, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent, a special celebration is being held, jointly organized by the Annapurna Rural Municipality, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), and the Annapurna Tourism Development Committee.
Trekking Begins on the Maurice Herzog Trail
To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Annapurna Climbing, a commemorative trek began on Sunday along the Maurice Herzog Trail, connecting Narchyang Village to the Annapurna Base Camp. The trekking team includes Maurice Herzog’s son, Mathias Herzog, his grandson Ethan Herzog, and other international participants — six from France, three from the UK, five from India, and one from Italy.
200-Member Delegation Heads to Annapurna Base Camp
Invited by the Government of Nepal, around 200 guests, including family members of the climbers, tourism entrepreneurs, and journalists, are expected to reach Annapurna Base Camp (4,100 meters) on Monday evening. Their route includes Narchyang Valley, Humkhola, Phutphute Jharna, Sandhikharka, Bhusket, and Panchkunda Lake.
30-Kilometer Marathon and Cultural Events Enhance Festivities
A group of 42 runners also departed for the base camp to participate in a 30-kilometer marathon from the Annapurna Base Camp to Narchyang Village, scheduled for Tuesday. The group was formally bid farewell from Narchyang Besi on Sunday morning.
A cultural program was held at Narchyang Besi on Saturday evening, and a musical performance led by Mathias Herzog is being staged at the base camp on Monday night. Speaking at the event, Mathias expressed his happiness at walking the same route his father once used. He had previously trekked the trail last Asoj (October).
Commemorative Programs and Global Outreach
Preparations for the program to be held on Tuesday under the chief guestship of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee have been completed, said Diwa Tilija Pun, vice-chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality. The unveiling of the statues of the first climbers Herzog, Louis Lachen and the first Nepali climber Sonam Wangchuk Sherpa at the base camp, the inauguration of the open museum and the Maurice Hergoz trekking route, the main ceremony, honors and award distribution program in Narchyang Besi have been scheduled.
An ancestral dance, tableau and open dance competition based on Magar culture will begin in Narchyang Besi from Tuesday with the participation of all eight wards of Annapurna Rural Municipality. A trekking tour to the tourist spot Ghodepani Punhill is scheduled for the 21st.
On the 22nd, in Pokhara, the equipment used by the first climber Herzog will be handed over by his family to the International Mountain Museum Pokhara run by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, and the release of the book ‘The Annapurna’ written by Hergoz and translated by the French Embassy has been scheduled.
Annapurna’s Enduring Influence on Tourism in Nepal
The 75-year legacy of the first Annapurna ascent continues to inspire mountaineers and trekkers worldwide. As Nepal promotes this history through new infrastructure and storytelling, Annapurna Himal remains a cornerstone of tourism in Nepal. The journey started by Maurice Herzog now lives on through thousands of adventurers who walk his path every year.
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