Location: Nepal, Asia
First Ascent: Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Albin Schelbert (Austria), Nawang Dorje, Nima Dorje (Nepal), May 13, 1960
Fast Facts:
- The Sanskrit name Dhavali giri means “White Mountain.”
- It was thought to be the world’s highest mountain after its 1808 discovery, replacing Mt. Chimborazo in Ecuador.
- Opposite from Annapurna, Dhaulagiri rises over 7,000 meters above the Kali Gandaki Gorge.
- The first ascent was May 13, 1960 by four members of a Swiss-Austrian team and two sherpas. They climbed the Northeast Ridge, today’s normal route.
- In 1969 an 11-man US expedition led by Boyd Everett attempted the unclimbed knife-edge Southeast Ridge of Dhaulagiri, despite none of the team having Himalayan experience. At 17,000 feet six Americans and two Sherpas were bridging a 10-foot-wide crevasse when a massive avalanche swept down, sweeping away all but Louis Reichardt. At that time it was the worst disaster in Nepalese climbing history.
- The normal route is considered a reasonable climb with moderate avalanche danger and only short technical climbing sections.
