76th anniversary of scaling Annapurna I observed

By Thakur Prasad Acharya, Myagdi, June 4:  The 76th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Annapurna I was commemorated in Narchyang on Wednesday with various programmes, including running competition and felicitation ceremonies for climbers and tourism promoters. 

On the occasion, climbers who successfully summited Mt. Annapurna I and individuals contributing to the promotion of tourism in the Annapurna region were honoured. 

During the event held at Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Changwa Sherpa of Makalu Rural Municipality-2 in Sankhuwasabha and Maya Sherpa of Khijidemba Rural Municipality-9 in Okhaldhunga were honoured for successfully climbing Annapurna I three times.

According to Lok Bahadur Phagami, coordinator of the Annapurna Ascent Day Main Organising Committee and ward chairperson of Narchyang, tourism entrepreneurs and campaigners who contributed to promoting Annapurna tourism were also recognised. 

Those honoured included Tej Bahadur Gurung of Narchyang, Indra Singh Sherchan of Dana, Chitra Tilija Pun of Amchek and journalist Suren Gurung.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Myagdi chapter was also honoured institutionally for its contribution to promoting Annapurna through media coverage.

Seventy-six years ago, on June 3, 1950, a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog, along with Louis Lachenal and two Nepali Sherpas, successfully climbed Annapurna I for the first time. 

Annapurna is regarded as the first mountain above 8,000 metres ever summited by humans and is therefore often referred to as the “eldest” among the world’s 8,000-metre peaks.

The trekking route from Humkhola to Annapurna Base Camp has been named the Maurice Herzog Trail, and infrastructure development along the route has begun.

To facilitate tourists, temporary structures have been built at different locations along the trail from Humkhola to the base camp, including tea shops, snack stalls, lodges and accommodation facilities. 

Three shelters have also been constructed at Sandhikharka, Bhusket Mela and the Panchakunda Lake area.

Infrastructure such as drinking water facilities and toilets have been developed in Humkhola, Phutfute Waterfall, Guphaphant, Bhusket and Panchakunda.

In the past two years, the trekking route leading to the Annapurna Base Camp at an altitude of 4,190 metres has witnessed a growing number of domestic tourists.

Chairperson Bharat Kumar Pun said the rural municipality aims to develop Annapurna Base Camp and the trekking route into a major tourism destination through infrastructure development and promotion.

Travellers can now drive around 22 kilometres from Pokharebagar, the centre of Annapurna Rural Municipality, to reach Humkhola. From there, a 21-kilometre Maurice Herzog trekking trail has been developed via Panchakunda Lake to Annapurna Base Camp.

The natural beauty of the Phutfute Waterfall, Panchakunda Lake and surrounding Himalayan scenery has contributed to the area’s growing popularity as a tourist destination in recent years.