Jean-Christophe Lafaille

Jean -Christophe Lafaille ( born March 31, 1965 in Gap, missing since January 26, 2006 at Makalu ) was a French mountaineer. Lafaille was considered one of the world's best high-altitude mountaineer who has climbed all its peaks without supplemental oxygen.

Since 26 January 2006 he will be missed on Makalu, he wanted to climb alone and in winter.

Life

With seven years Lafaille began climbing. Later he took part in competitions in sport climbing. In 1992 he undertook the first expedition in the Himalayas. Together with Pierre Beghin he tried to climb the south face of Annapurna in alpine style. Beghin died in the attempt.

In 2001, he decided to attempt the ascent of the remaining eight thousand.

Lafaille had two children, a daughter from his first and a son from his second marriage.

Successes at the 8000 Bergen

To achieve all 14 8000 it still lacked the Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest.

The two climbed Gasherbrum Lafaille without intermediate descend to base camp. He achieved this in alpine style, and within three days. He was the first and to date (July 2008) only person who completed the double ascent of two eight-thousanders alone.

Works

• Prisoner of Annapurna. (together with Benoît Heimer man), Frederking & Thaler, Munich 2005, ISBN 3-89405-262-7