40 years ago: expedition to the Manaslu South Face! On 24 April 1972, Andi Schlick and Franz Jäger died in a terrible snowstorm near the summit of Manaslu 8156m; Reinhold Messner and I (Horst Fankhauser) survived!

The ascent of this giant face, nearly 4000m high, on an 8000er, led by Wolfgang Nairz, was an exceptionally spectacular mountaineering event for its time – sadly, two of our friends lost their lives! Hans Hofer later died during a rescue mission when his helicopter crashed! Josl Knoll died of natural causes.

The five of us who are still alive – Reinhold Messner, Oswald Ölz (affectionately known as "Bulle"), expedition leader Wolfgang Nairz, Hansjörg Hochfilzer and I (Horst Fankhauser) – are meeting here at the Franz Senn Hütte on 23 July to celebrate the anniversary a little in a close circle and to remember our late comrades!

Reinhold summarised the events of that time in the book Sturm am Manaslu! Due to continuing demand, it has recently been republished!

We will be happy to chat with anyone interested and/or sign the book between 17:00 and 18:00!