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Another Ace for Annapurna 2005: Silvio Mondinelli
Jan 28, 2005 12: 29 EST
ExWeb just learned that Ed Viestur’s expedition won’t be the only one climbing Annapurna’s north side next spring. Italian Silvio “Gnaro” Mondinelli is getting ready to launch his second attempt on the evasive and dangerous mountain, his wife Idel, confirmed to ExplorersWeb today.
Joint venture on Annapurna?
Silvio will climb along with his regular climbing mate, Mario Merelli, also Mario Panzeri, Daniele Bernasconi, and, in his first Himalayan experience; Silvio's friend Christian Gobbi. The team has already contacted Ed Viesturs, offering to join forces and work on the route together.
If Silvio summits Annapurna on time, he also plans on launching an expedition to Lhotse “to end all controversy about his previous ascent”, Idel says. Silvio is known for his endurance and climbing strength. Friends of the climber describe him as a “climbing machine”.
Lhotse and Nanga Parbat in 2005’s agenda
Silvio has already summited nine 8000ers and Shisha Pangma’s central summit. Annapurna seems to be resisting the Italian climber, who attempted the difficult south side in 2002.
In 1994, Silvio officially climbed Lhotse, as proven by the summit certificate he received. However, there have been rumors that he didn’t actually reach the summit. In order to eliminate all doubt, he is willing to climb Lhotse again.
With the busy climbing itinerary he has this year, Silvio can’t afford to spend too much time in Nepal. The climber is also busy planning for next year. Currently in Spain, Silvio is negotiating the possibility of joining the ‘Al Filo de lo Imposible’ Spanish team on Nanga Parbat early next summer.”
Four-header in 2001
Silvio Mondinelli summited his first 8000er –Manaslu – back in 1993. Since them, he has taken part in major expeditions every year. In 2001, he succeeded in four of the 14 giants: Everest (on his third attempt), Gaherbrum II, Gasherbrum I and Dhaulagiri. However, the joy of the last summit was shadowed when, during descent, when one of his climbing-mates, Spanish Pepe Garcés, died.
On July 26, 2004, among the huge number of climbers gathered in K2’s BC, he was the first to reach the summit through the Abruzzi Spur route, along with Karl Unterkircher and 'Al Filo de lo Imposible' climbers Juan Oiarzabal, Edurne Pasabán, Juan Vallejo and Mikel Zabalza.
Silvio Mondinelli was born in Gardone (Italy) in 1958. Since beginning climbing at 18 years old, he has done major climbs all over the world, including nine 8000ers: Manaslu, Cho Oyu, everest, GI, GII, Dhaulagiri, Makalu, Kangchenjunga and K2, plus Shisha Pangma central summit, and a controversial climb on Lhotse.
Mario Merelli has summited Everest, Makalu, Kangchenjunga and Shisha's central summit. Mario Panzeri has summited Everest, Lhotse and K2. Daniele Bernasconi is as well an experienced Himalayan climber.
Image of Silvio courtesy of Gnaromondinelli.com
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