Mathias follows father’s footsteps to Annapurna

BY THAKUR PRASAD ACHARYA,Myagdi, Oct. 28: Mathias Herzog, son of French mountaineer Maurice Herzog, who set the record as the first person to summit Annapurna I, has arrived at the base camp of Annapurna Mountain in Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 in Myagdi district. Following the path taken by his father 75 years ago, Mathias reached the Annapurna base camp on Saturday.

Tej Gurung, an advocate of the Maurice Herzog trekking route, said that Mathias retraced his father’s path to the base camp, where he also laid a garland at his father’s statue near Panchakunda Lake and took group photos. Additionally, Mathias gathered further information about Annapurna at the base camp. 

He had been welcomed in Narchyang on Thursday, and on Friday he embarked on the Maurice Herzog Trail starting from Narchyang, trekking to the base camp at an elevation of 4,190 metres.

Gurung expressed astonishment at seeing Mathias taking the path his father took 75 years ago. He said, “There were no developed trekking trails when Maurice summitted Mr. Annapurna. He had taken a challenging cliffside route.” 

He informed that Mathias had committed to do his best to promote the Annapurna and Maurice Herzog Trail globally. Mathias was proud to be recognised as Maurice's son and found Annapurna region as a remarkable tourist destination, he added.

Mathias has committed to bringing his entire family, including his 82-year-old mother, for a trek to Annapurna in June 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of the Annapurna climb. He also expressed interest in translating his father’s book ‘Annapurna’ into Nepali and other languages.

On June 3, 1950, three years before humans reached Mt. Everest, a French team led by Maurice Herzog made the first successful ascent of Annapurna I. 

In honour of Maurice Herzog’s achievement, Annapurna Rural Municipality has named the trekking 

route from Narchyang to the Annapurna base camp as the ‘Maurice Herzog Trail’ and placed a statue of Maurice near Panchakunda Lake at the 

base camp. Municipality Chairman Bharat Kumar Pun expressed confidence that Mathias’s visit to the northern base camp of Annapurna I would help further promote tourism in the area. From Pokharebagar, the centre of Annapurna Rural Municipality, one can drive 22 kilometres to Hom Khola, followed by a 21-kilometre trek to the base camp area. 

Due to its natural beauty, including the Futfate Waterfall, Panchakunda Lake at the base camp and the majestic Himalayas, the Annapurna area has recently emerged as a popular tourist destination.