The great French alpinist René Desmaison died last Friday (28/09). He was 77.
He was one of the last famous alpinist from the 60s and 70s generation.
Among other he repeated the Cassin route in Grandes Jorasses 9 days after Bonatti did (1963). Ten years later he opened a direct route on the Walker Spur.
He also opened a direct route in one of the north face of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Also on Huascaran (Peru)... a very active carrier.
Not always liked by other mountaineers in France at that time, especially after having saved two germans climbers in Les Drus, as he chose to take them out a different way from the official safety patrol. Controversial sometimes, magnificent climber always.
For those understanding French :
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0 ... 912,0.html
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0 ... 912,0.html
I hope to be able to write an article about him in the coming month.
