Allie Pepper scales Mt Annapurna-I without oxygen

KATHMANDU, April 14: Alliee Pepper, an Australian mountaineer, successfully scaled Mt Annapurna-I without the use of supplemental oxygen. 

Pepper, 47, conquered the world's 10th tallest peak at 12:07 PM on Sunday, according to the Chairman of Seven Summit Treks Company, Minga Sherpa. 

The Company said tour guides Michael Sherpa and Nima Sherpa accompanied the Australian climber. 

Earlier, 17 years old Nepali mountaineer Rinzi Sherpa also scaled the same peak on April 12 without the use of supplementary oxygen. 

Likewise, Director of Tourism Department Rakesh Gurung said information was received on the successful ascend to Annapurna-I by two persons without the use of supplementary oxygen. Gurung said, "Climbing to Mt Annapurna-I is happening in a large number after the success in rope fixing."

"Information has been received about two persons climbing (Mt Annapurna-I) without the use of supplementary oxygen. We are yet to verify this officially," Gurung added.

Pepper has planned to climb the world's 14 peaks above 8000 metres within two years and has successfully climbed three mountains so far including Mt Annapurna-I.  
After her ascend to Mt Annapurna-I, Pepper is all set to scale Mt Kanchanjungha and Mt Makalu. 

She started climbing mountains in 2007 after scaling Mt Choyu then without oxygen from China's Tibet side. 

According to the Department, as many as 25 climbers including 11 women and 14 men of three expedition teams have taken permit to climb Mt Annapurna-I in this spring season.