The French Embassy in Nepal and Alliance française Katmandou on Thursday launched the Nepali translation of Annapurna Premier 8000, the classic mountaineering account by Maurice Herzog, at a programme held in Kathmandu.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhan Raj Acharya; mountaineer and Goodwill Ambassador for the 75th anniversary of Annapurna’s first ascent Purnima Shrestha; Chhiring Doma Lama, spouse of the late Sonam Walung Sherpa; Nepal Mountaineering Association President Phur Gelje Sherpa; Maurice Herzog Trekking Trail Chairperson Tej Gurung; and French Ambassador to Nepal Virginie Corteval, among others attended the event.

The book, written by Herzog, leader of the historic 1950 Franco-Nepali expedition, documents the first ascent of Annapurna, the world’s first climbed peak above 8,000 metres.

Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Corteval expressed hope that Nepali readers would enjoy discovering the story, describing it as a defining moment in mountaineering history that helped forge lasting ties between Nepal and France.

Translators Ashok Shakya and Rijendra Shrestha read selected passages from the Nepali edition, while Purnima Shrestha and Kunda Dixit discussed various aspects of mountaineering and Annapurna.