"Challenge
of the High Himalaya: Dhaulagiri, Everest and K-2"
Kurt Diemberger, the only person alive known to have made first
ascents of two of the world's 8,000-metre mountains—Broad Peak in
Xinjiang/Baltistan, China/Pakistan, in 1957 and Dhaulagiri in
Pokhara, Nepal, in 1960—will speak at Mount Saint Mary College on
March 1 at 7 pm in Aquinas Hall, Room 216.
An accomplished alpinist and author, Diemberger made those
climbs without the use of supplemental oxygen. Broad Peak, which he
climbed with the late Hermann Buhl and two others, was the first
eight-thousander to be climbed in West Alpine style, long before
this technique became widely used on the Himalayan giants. Alpine
style is self sufficient mountaineering including carrying all of
one's food, shelter, and equipment, and refusing fixed ropes,
high-altitude porters and supplemental oxygen.
Having climbed 6 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks, Diemberger is
probably best known for his 30-year association with K2, in the
mighty Karakoram range spanning the borders between Pakistan, India
and China: and for surviving the 1986 K2 disaster during a severe
storm, which claimed the lives of 13 climbers. This became the
subject of his first book, The Endless Knot, and the
award-winning movie Mountain of Dreams and Destiny.
Diemberger has written more than a dozen books.
For information about the lecture, or to interview Diemberger,
contact . John Reilly, professor of history, at 845-568-3155 or
email john.reilly@msmc.edu