After the detailed descriptions of Manaslu, Dhaulagiri I and Annapurna I summit ridges now the summit ridge of Broad Peak is explained in detail in PDF format. You can find it here!

I have been collecting facts about mountains and mountaineering for four decades and I have always sincerely believed that: ‘The highest point of a mountain is the only point that counts as summit'. But in recent times, with more research and better technology, it has become apparent that this absolute topographical approach does not match the reality of climbers and the tops of the 8000m mountains. For the last seven years some colleagues and I have been researching many summit photos , particularly on the three 8000m mountains Manaslu, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I that have issues with their precise summit locations and their records of who climbed to where. It is clear now after all this research and communication that many mountaineers, including some well-known ones, have definitely failed to reach the very highest points on one or more of these mountains due to their uncertain topography. Instead, climbers have stopped, knowingly or not, on a selection of lower points - some near to the main summits in altitude and distance, some not so much. To deal accurately but realistically with this sensitive problem we have come to consider the possibility of ‘Summit Zones of Tolerance’. But of course even with this broadening of allowable ‘summits’ it may still affect the historical record of Himalayan climbing. Should some finishing points that are too far or below the true summit be deleted from the official summit lists? Should we have two tables of submitters - a ‘General List’ of those who stopped only within the Tolerance Zone, and then an ‘Elite List’ comprising those who can surely be proven to have stopped on the true highest point? We wish that the climbing community will assist us to find the best solutions to deal with this serious problem. There will be people who think, this is not important. Let us leave it as it is including general “amnesty” for all “historical” ascents. But many others would also love to know, how many really did all true tops of the 14. But it is not only because of the collectors with “all” 14 8000ers climbed. All country firsts, female firsts, winter firsts, route firsts and surely other firsts need to be researched properly.

Manaslu Annapurna I Dhaulagiri I

Today marks the 10th anniversary of 8000ers.com. To be honest, the situation is critical. The work increased a lot and there is still not enough income just to survive. We want to publish many research results and a huge amount of updated tables, but first the website must be renewed and this is not possible without the help from the people, who are still interested. A fund, private or company sponsoring or at least enough donations would be helpful.

Last year I asked nearly the same and published an Everest nations table with all important information, but nearly nobody donated.

The new Everest nations table is still not complete, but I will post an Everest daily table including changes to former years.

If there is no existence saving support in the near future, a large part of the High Asian chronicles is highly endagered.

Everest Daily to 2017

The Pakistan season was quite long this year. Here is the draft table with all ascents known.

Thanks a lot especially to Rodolphe and Thaneswar! Also to Boyan for the addition and corrections today, October 15th! Update November 12th: Again there are two additions on Broad Peak. Please note that on August 4th nobody went to the true summit despite some of them still celebrate it.