Kathmandu: Australian adventurer Allie Pepper is gearing up to ascend the formidable Mt. Annapurna-1 without the aid of supplemental oxygen this spring. Pepper, a seasoned mountaineer and former guide, is on a mission to conquer all 14 peaks exceeding 8,000 meters globally without relying on oxygen by the year 2026.
Speaking at a press conference held in Kathmandu on Saturday, the 48-year-old Pepper revealed her ambitious plans to scale Annapurna-1, the world’s 10th highest peak standing at an imposing 8,091 meters. The expedition is organized in collaboration with Seven Summit Treks of Kapan.
Pepper emphasized that her undertaking aims to inspire women to overcome personal challenges and barriers. “Due to my distinctive climbing style, I am confident in achieving my goal within the set timeframe,” she asserted. Further outlining her plans for the spring season, Pepper disclosed intentions to conquer three additional mountains in Nepal.
With an impressive 23 years of mountaineering experience, Pepper commenced her oxygen-free climbing journey in 2007 with the ascent of Mt. Cho Oyu in Tibet. Notably, she achieved milestones by successfully scaling Broadpeak on July 15, 2023, and Manaslu on September 28, 2023, becoming the first Australian woman to conquer Broadpeak without supplemental oxygen.
Currently, only six individuals worldwide have accomplished the remarkable feat of ascending all 14 mountains surpassing 8,000 meters without the aid of oxygen. Among the distinguished peaks on this challenging list are Everest, K2, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Annapurna-1, Gasherbrum-1, Broadpeak, Gasherbrum-2, and Shishapangma. As Pepper sets her sights on Mt. Annapurna, the mountaineering community eagerly anticipates the unfolding of this extraordinary adventure.