Sophie Denis, 32 years old French - born climber and a NY Section member, summited Manaslu on October 4th as an independent climber with no sherpa, no guide and without oxygen. This was her fourth 8000 meter Himalayan summit this year. Combined with a previous success on Everest, she is well on her way to achieving her goal of climbing all fourteen 8000 meter peaks and being one of the few women to do so.
In August she became the first woman to summit three 8000m peaks in 3 months in 3 different countries (Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Broad Peak) and made it to the shoulder on K-2, tuning back due to bad weather. K-2 remains unclimbed since 2008 the South Side.
We will welcome her back at the 32nd New York Section Black Tie Dinner on Saturday, November 12 and hope to see you there.
Read more on Sophie's endeavors: http://followtheclimb.blogspot.com
Our special guest this year is John Harlin in a special Swiss-themed Dinner focusing on the Eiger and his complete circumnavigation of Switzerland by its mountainous borders. A special report by Sherman Bull on his "Soldiers to the Summit" Himalayan expedition will complete the program.
Also attending are AAC former and present Presidents, Mark Richey and Steve Swenson, who just climbed Saser Kangri, the second highest unclimbed peak in the world.