There is a small mistake in the article. Only one of the French climbers survived the great tragedy of Freney - Pierre Mazeaud. The other two survivers were Bonatti himself and the Italian climber Gallieni. Otherwise, a very good article about one of the greatest mountaineering legends.
On the Central Pillar of Frêney attempt and subsequent drama (July 1961), Bonatti was with his friend and guide Andrea Oggioni. They had Roberto Gallieni with them as a client. The French were Pierre Mazeaud, Robert Guillaume, Antoine Vieille and Pierre Kholman, all highly talented French climbers, two in the middle of their guiding's course. All the French died but Pierre Mazeaud, the two youngest first. Andrea died as he sacrificed himself doing all the hard work being the last man going down, taking out the abseils and helping all the others to get down, this I believe to do his best to save the life of their client Roberto. Bonatti knowing best the area had to go in front to find the way down. Without him and his talent and strentgh of mind, they would all have died.
well I'm like into the books rather than into the trails... just trying to see or rather vaguely feel about all the excitement and thrills of these mountains through books.... reading Ed Viesturs,charles Houston,Graham Bowley & of-course Messner has rather fed the fire even bigger than before... so i will be obliged if someone help me to ensconce into the books of Bonatti and please let me know a great site from where i can find his books for download...... will appreciate any kind of help in this regard..:)))
Gabriele Roth - Oct 2, 2007 10:41 am - Hasn't voted
Re: you mentioned"but these are interesting stories I think"
give a look to my article :)
alexander89 - Feb 3, 2011 4:08 pm - Hasn't voted
CorrectionThere is a small mistake in the article. Only one of the French climbers survived the great tragedy of Freney - Pierre Mazeaud. The other two survivers were Bonatti himself and the Italian climber Gallieni. Otherwise, a very good article about one of the greatest mountaineering legends.
Sgremazzoli - Sep 14, 2011 5:39 am - Hasn't voted
In MemoryAddio a Walter Bonatti, uno dei più grandi di tutti i tempi.
ericvola - Feb 1, 2012 7:06 am - Voted 8/10
Central Pillar of Freney dramaOn the Central Pillar of Frêney attempt and subsequent drama (July 1961), Bonatti was with his friend and guide Andrea Oggioni. They had Roberto Gallieni with them as a client. The French were Pierre Mazeaud, Robert Guillaume, Antoine Vieille and Pierre Kholman, all highly talented French climbers, two in the middle of their guiding's course. All the French died but Pierre Mazeaud, the two youngest first. Andrea died as he sacrificed himself doing all the hard work being the last man going down, taking out the abseils and helping all the others to get down, this I believe to do his best to save the life of their client Roberto. Bonatti knowing best the area had to go in front to find the way down. Without him and his talent and strentgh of mind, they would all have died.
RAKESH KUNDU - Apr 23, 2013 12:17 pm - Hasn't voted
help me......well I'm like into the books rather than into the trails... just trying to see or rather vaguely feel about all the excitement and thrills of these mountains through books.... reading Ed Viesturs,charles Houston,Graham Bowley & of-course Messner has rather fed the fire even bigger than before... so i will be obliged if someone help me to ensconce into the books of Bonatti and please let me know a great site from where i can find his books for download...... will appreciate any kind of help in this regard..:)))