Trail Named After Maurice; Son Follows in His Father’s Footsteps

With Maurice Herzog’s son among the visitors, it had been 75 years since the ascent of the world’s highest mountains began.
Geographer Dr. Harka Gurung had once expressed concern that Nepal was not reaping economic benefits from its mountains.
To commemorate Maurice, a trekking route was named after him, and cultural programs and a marathon were organized at the Annapurna Base Camp.

May 26, Pokhara — Geographer Dr. Harka Gurung wrote in his book “Vishaya Vividhma”:

“Foreign climbers came to Nepal, gained fame by climbing on the shoulders of our Sherpas, and then left. Meanwhile, we just stood by and watched the spectacle.”

Dr. Gurung was concerned that Nepal failed to economically benefit while foreign climbers gained fame by ascending Nepal’s peaks.

Indeed, due to the government’s lack of vision in promoting this glorious history in the global market, the mountains and trails with mountaineering history have remained neglected.

On June 3, 1950, a historic ascent of the world’s highest peaks was made.
That marked the beginning of a 75-year journey in Himalayan mountaineering.

French mountaineer Maurice Herzog initiated climbs above 8,000 meters.
He, along with Louis Lachenal and two Nepali Sherpas, completed the first ascent of Annapurna I.
Only two years later, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha)was successfully summited.

To honor that history and Maurice himself, the government and private sector collaborated to celebrate the 75th anniversary.
They aimed to promote this historic date and the trail as an attraction for adventure tourists worldwide.

Trekking Route Named After Maurice

Following in Maurice’s footsteps, a French delegation including his son and several artists arrived in Nepal.
They planned to trek up to the northern base camp of Annapurna — the same route Maurice had taken.
This trail was officially dedicated to Maurice Herzog, and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli inaugurated the route up to the Annapurna North Base Camp in his name.

French artists performed music at the base camp in memory of Maurice.
A marathon was also held along the trail to the Annapurna Base Camp.

The 75th anniversary of the first ascent was celebrated as a Diamond Jubilee.

Last November, Maurice’s son reached the base camp alongside a statue of his father.
That day was celebrated as a festival for the first time, drawing both local and international guests to increase interest in the route.
According to Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of the Trekking Association of TAN Gandaki, a grand event was held in Maurice’s honor.

“This is the first time such a significant event was held to honor Maurice’s legacy. This effort will help bring global attention to Annapurna’s North Base Camp,” said Acharya.
“We’re actively promoting the route to attract more tourists. Never before had so many dignitaries visited the base camp.”

Organized by Annapurna Rural Municipality, Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province, TAN Gandaki, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the event was marked by a commemorative journey to the historic base camp.

According to Mani Lamichhane, head of the Tourism Board’s Gandaki office, ambassadors from 12 countries were invited. However, confirmation of all their arrivals had not yet been verified.

Maurice’s Artifacts at the International Mountain Museum

Maurice Herzog’s son, Mathias Emmanuel Maximilien, his grandson Simon Jacques, and a 14-member French team of mountaineers, researchers, and artists had arrived in Pokhara.

Mathias, following in his father’s mountaineering path, trekked up to the Annapurna Base Camp.
On a previous visit, he had promised to bring items his father had used during the original expedition.

These artifacts were handed over to the International Mountain Museum, according to museum director Nirmala Neupane.

Statues of Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal, and the first Nepali climber Sonam Wangchuk Sherpa were erected at the base camp.
These were unveiled during the event, according to Bharat Kumar Pun, chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality.

Marathon Prepared Along the Trail

The base camp is located in Ward 4 of Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality, Myagdi.
A 30-kilometer marathon was organized from that location.
Chairman Pun stated that preparations for the event were nearly complete.

He expressed concern that despite the southern base camp of Annapurna being world-famous due to better infrastructure, the northern base camp had been left behind.

“We failed to bring Maurice’s trail into the tourism market,” said Pun.
“The government never invested in developing or promoting this trail. But now we’re trying — the trail is being organized, tea houses are opening, and we’re working to attract tourists.”

Lack of Infrastructure and Promotion

According to mountaineer Purnima Shrestha, who has climbed Annapurna I, a lack of infrastructure and promotion has kept tourists away from the trail and the mountain itself.

After the successful ascent of Annapurna, France declared a 3-day national holiday and celebrated the event.
If Nepal had strategized to connect that historic moment with tourism promotion, it could have attracted a wave of tourists, said Taranath Pahari, chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council.

Following his climb, Maurice authored the book “Annapurna,” which became a bestseller in the travel literature genre once translated into English.
Though the book helped introduce Annapurna to a global audience, the Nepali government did not implement a long-term plan, noted veteran tourism expert Sheshkant Sharma, who has long worked in the climbing and trekking sector.