원정 개요

Oct 12 Blanc, Busca, Favre and Rosset left C3 at 03:30 hours, reached summit at about 11:15 hours. Favre was the last one to leave summit around 12:00 hours. Strong wind/cold. Reached C3 at 15:00 hours. Busca and Rosset went to C2. For Blanc the summit is 13th of 8000m peaks. He is planning to go to Annapurna South Face in 2002 autumn with Christian Kuntner (Italian). The summiters saw a body 4/5-meter away from the summit ridge which they believe of German member of Swiss expedition of 1995 spring.

While descending from summit the group met Garces and Merelli at about 8050m and suggested the two not to continue as it was late and windy. Then Garces and Merelli followed Favre and Blanc. Merelli suddenly realized that Garces was not behind him. Blanc told him that he saw Garces fall down the cliff (about 7800m). Favre, Blanc and Posset said that Hirschbichler-Aregger team and Japanese with three Sherpas did not reach to main summit on Oct 2.

The expedition returned to KTM on Oct 20. Noro left on Oct 21. Seven members leaving on 22. Favre leaves on 23; Blanc and Rosset leaving after they collect their equipment.

- Both Commune's and Prevot went up to C3
- Epiney reached up to 7000m (exhausted)
- Rest of the members went up to C2
- The expedition had a deposit camp at 7000m

Hirschbichler team: Favre said it was not possible for the team to reach main summit from what they saw from BC. Hirschbichler and Japanese were seen climbing wall from which it is difficult to reach the main summit as the ridge has a big fall/rock. Hirschbichler said at BC they did not reach to main summit.