Ten expeditions above 7000 and 8000 metres in 2024
30 April 2024Latest news, Mountaineering
A big programme of high-altitude expeditions in 2024. After the Andes, which open the year with a number of expeditions that have already taken place to Aconcagua (6,962 m) and Ojos del Salado (6,893 m), we currently have a team on Makalu (8,485 m) led by Serge Bazin, then this summer we'll be heading to Pakistan to climb Broad Peak (8,047 m) and K2 (8,611 m), and to Kyrgyzstan to climb Peak Lenin (7,134 m). In autumn, Manaslu (8,163 m), Ama Dablam (6,812 m) and Baruntse (7,129 m) in Nepal close the gap for the time being. Perhaps the ascent of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) will be added to the list. It's a responsibility, a privilege and a joy for our teams to be able to accompany seasoned mountaineers on such adventures. Live coverage...
Find out more about our high-altitude expeditions in 2024 below. And find out all the details about them:
We invite you to experience all these climbs live. The live link for each of them can be found a few days before the expedition's departure, on our website in the "Live expeditions" section and on our social networks.
We're currently on the French mountain, the fifth highest peak on the planet. After a good trek to the Advanced Base Camp at around 5,700 metres, our team led by Serge Bazin started its first rotation at altitude at Camp 2 at around 6,700 metres. After descending to the CBA, the team waited for the wind to die down, currently reaching over 100 km/h at the summit, before starting their second rotation to camp 3 at 7,500 metres. The section between camp 2 and camp 3 is the key part of the route, which is AD+ in difficulty. The gradient is between 50 and 55°, interspersed with rocky sections. Camp 3 is located shortly after the Makalu La, on the way to the north face.
You can already follow this Makalu expedition live.
We followed them on their ascent of Korjenevskaya in Tajikistan to 7,105 metres in the summer of 2022, and this year we are accompanying Jean-François Descat and Julien Delteil to Broad Peak in Pakistan. This is the twelfth highest peak on the planet, and its technical level is slightly higher than that of Gasherbrum II. The ascent is made along the western ridge to the small col (Windy Gap) that separates Broad Peak Central (8,011 m) from Broad Peak itself (8,047 m).
We'll be setting out on the slopes of the mythical K2 ‘the wild mountain’, the second highest peak on the planet. This expedition has all the makings of the ultimate challenge. The meters of altitude, of course, but above all the verticality, which is almost unique on such a mountain, and the technical difficulties. Three key passages punctuate the route: the House chimney (6,500 m), the Pyramide Noire (7,000 m) and the Bottleneck couloir (8,200 m). These technical difficulties are compounded by capricious weather. Attempting to climb K2 requires perfect self-control and unfailing determination.
We're off again to climb Peak Lenin, which we know well from having climbed it in 2018, 2021 and 2022. Peak Lenin is a beautiful mountain, whose summit is considered to be the most accessible 7,000-metre peak in the world, sometimes flippantly and therefore wrongly. To increase our chances of success, we are planning 4 to 6 days longer than most operators, which gives the expedition more peace of mind, more time to acclimatise and, of course, more security in terms of the weather. We set off again, guided by Serge Bazin, just back from Makalu. We followed the normal route, which was physically demanding for the summit attempt.
We're heading back to Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world, for the third time. After a magnificent acclimatisation trek, we land at base camp at around 5,000 meters and begin our acclimatisation rotations. The slightest technical difficulties on this magnificent 8,000-meter route allow us to concentrate on all the components of life at altitude. But that doesn't mean we should minimise the sheer scale and effort required to reach the summit, or the objective risks of this mountain, which is gentle when the weather is favourable, but dangerous when it isn't.
We set off again for Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful summits in the world at almost 7,000 meters, whose summit pyramid has made many a dream come true! The climb is steep and vertical, in a mix of rock, ice and snow. Excellent physical condition is required. The climb from Camp 2 (6,100 m) to Camp 3 (6,400 m) is considered the most technical part of the ascent, in very steep mixed terrain up to the Tour Grise, with jumps onto slopes of 60° to 70°.
We set off again for Baruntse, one of the most beautiful alpine climbs at 7,000 meters!
Standing on the border of the Everest and Makalu ranges, isolated by vast expanses of glacier, access to Baruntse is relatively difficult. After climbing Mera Peak to 6,461 metres, we reach the base camp. We climb it via the West Col, a route opened in 1952 by Eric Shipton and Edmund Hillary. The summit ridge up to the summit is sumptuous and very exposed to the wind, with slopes of 30/40°. Excellent physical condition is a prerequisite.
Although not yet confirmed, it is likely that we will be accompanying a team this autumn, perhaps on skis, on Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh highest peak. We'll be following the beautiful route along the north ridge, which is fairly direct and technical because of the steepness of the slopes. The climb up the Chhonbardan glacier, above the base camp, is the most exposed part of the ascent. Three camps have been set up along the north ridge, which presents few objective dangers. Bad weather can immobilise climbers for several days in the high camps. This is one of the serious dangers that make this a challenging route.
For many mountaineers, the mythical 8000-meter mark is a goal, the dream of a lifetime. Our Manaslu expedition offers the best possible chance of success. Its relatively low technical difficulty…
We set off on the slopes of K2 “the wild mountain”, the second highest summit on earth and the culmination of a career as a Himalayan climber. This expedition has all the hallmarks of the ultimate…
We attempt the ascent of Baruntse at 7129 meters, on the boundary between the Everest and Makalu massifs. Isolated by vast glacial expanses, access is relatively difficult. We cross the Mera Pass and…
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