1953 Austro-German Nanga Parbat Expedition
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Expedition Summary
The Austro-German expedition resulting in Hermann Buhl's epoch-making solo summit of Nanga Parbat (8,126m) without supplemental oxygen.
Official Expedition Narrative
Departing Camp V alone in the dark hours of July 3, 1953, Hermann Buhl traversed the grueling high plateau to reach the summit of Nanga Parbat at 7:00 PM. Losing his crampon on descent, he endured an extraordinary open-air bivouac standing on a narrow rock ledge at 8,000 meters, hallucinating yet surviving to stagger back into Camp V forty-one hours after setting off.
Documented Team Composition
- Dr. Karl Herrligkoffer (Leader)
- Hermann Buhl (Summit Climber)
- Peter Aschenbrenner
- Hans Ertl (Cinematographer)
Target Objective Peak
Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat, at 8,126 meters (26,660 ft), is the ninth-highest mountain on Earth and the western anchor of the Himalayas in Pakistan. It boasts the Rupal Face, the highest vertical precipice in the world at 4,600 meters from valley floor to summit. Known for profound climbing history, highlighted by Hermann Buhl's legendary solo summit without supplemental oxygen in 1953.
Documented Sources & Archival Citations
- Nanga Parbat: The Killer Mountain(Karl Herrligkoffer / Elek Books)
Supporting claim: Official expedition record
Accessed/Documented: 1954