Annapurna via North Face — April 2019 Summit Report
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Conditions
- Weather
- Heavy snowfall throughout April made the north face extremely dangerous. Persistent avalanche cycles forced multiple retreats. The snow accumulation was double the seasonal average.
- Snow
- Deep unconsolidated powder, daily avalanche activity. Slab avalanche risk extreme.
- Temperature
- -25°C to -5°C
- Wind
- Moderate 20-30 km/h but wind-loaded slopes were the main danger
Elevation Profile
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Annapurna via North Face — April 2019 Summit Report¶
Annapurna I is the most dangerous of the fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, and the 2019 spring season reminded everyone why. Our team reached 7,500m on the north face before persistent avalanche danger forced a retreat. We witnessed two major slide events from Base Camp that swept through our planned route. The decision to descend was unanimous and unhesitating.
Trip Overview¶
Mountain: Annapurna (8091m) Date: April 16, 2019 Duration: 38 days Party Size: 6 Outcome: Turned Back
Conditions¶
Weather: Heavy snowfall throughout April made the north face extremely dangerous. Persistent avalanche cycles forced multiple retreats. The snow accumulation was double the seasonal average. Snow: Deep unconsolidated powder, daily avalanche activity. Slab avalanche risk extreme. Temperature: -25°C to -5°C Wind: Moderate 20-30 km/h but wind-loaded slopes were the main danger
Difficulty Assessment¶
Annapurna has the highest fatality-to-summit ratio of any 8,000er. The north face is a vast avalanche terrain trap with limited safe zones for camps. In 2019, conditions never stabilized enough for a safe summit attempt above 7,500m.