Austrian climber David Lama (28) has made the first ascent of Lunag Ri (6907m*) and he did it solo. Though the details of the expedition is still unknown, David's previous climbing partner on this mountain, Legendary American climber Conrad Anker (55) confirmed the news on 27th October, as he wrote on his Instagram, "Congratulations @davidlama_official on your successful solo ascent and descent of Lunag Ri. Happy to hear of your success on this peak. Third time is a charm!"
David and Conrad first attempted the Lunag Ri, located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, in November 2015 via West Ridge. But due to extreme climbing conditions, they had to turn back 300m below from the summit. The West Ridge rises from a 6026m Col between Lunag West (6492m) and Lunag Ri. Lunag Ri is the highest summit in the Lunag group. In November 2016, David and Conrad returned to the mountain and attempted via the same West Ridge. However that time, Conrad suffered a heart attack while climbing, at about 5800m. The duo immediately rappelled down and Conrad was evacuated from ABC to a hospital in Kathmandu by Helicopter. Three days later David made a solo attempt on a different line and returned back 250m below from the summit.
A documentary, titled "Walk the Line", featuring David Lama and Conrad Anker, well documented their two years attempts on Lunag Ri.
Notable Expeditions on Lunag Glacier
2010 - A 4 members French team led by Mathieu Maurice Paul Detrie via SW Face. All of them (Mathieu Maurice Paul Detrie, Maxime Belleville, Mathieu Bernard Maynadier and Sebastien Ratel) summited the South East top (6812m) AKA Lunag II on 26th October, 2010.
2012 - A 2 members American team led by Christopher John Wright with Geoffrey Karl Unger via NE Face on Lunag Ri, reached up to 6160m.
2012 - A 2 members American team led by David Alfred Gottlieb with Chad Lewis Kellogg via W Face on Lunag Ri, reached up to 6450m.
2013 - A 2 members American team led by David Alfred Gottlieb with Chad Lewis Kellogg via SW Face on Lunag Ri, reached up to 6450m.
2013 - A 2 members American team led by Christopher John Wright with Scott Robert Adamson via SE Face. They summited Lunag West (6492m) on 22nd October, 2013.
Photo Courtesy: David Lama Facebook
* The official website of David Lama mentioned the height as 6907m. According to AAJ, HDB the height is 6895m.
