The China Mail - Nepal celebrates 75th ascent anniversary of Mount Annapurna

Herzog reached the 8,091-metre (26,545-foot) summit with his compatriot Louis Lachenal and Nepali guide Sonam Walung Sherpa, on June 3, 1950 without oxygen -- causing a sensation around the world.

It was also the first successful ascent of any mountain above 8,000 metres.

About 200 people gathered at the base camp of Annapurna to commemorate the anniversary on Tuesday.

They clapped as golden statues of all three climbers were unveiled and placed traditional scarves around their necks.

"This is a historic event", Him Bahadur Gurung, a local official of Annapurna Rural Municipality told AFP.

"Maurice made Nepal renowned to the world by climbing Annapurna, at a time when people didn't know... it could be an adventure".

Dozens also took part in a 42.5km (26.4 miles) marathon -- downhill -- from Annapurna Base camp.

"We are thankful to Herzog for opening doors for tourists here who have helped develop our village," said Radha Gurung, 40, a local resident.

Herzog described his arrival at the summit as the most exquisite moment of his life.

Annapurna is a dangerous and difficult climb, and the avalanche-prone Himalayan peak has a higher death rate than Everest.

Since then, over 400 people have reached the top of Annapurna.

On his return to France, Herzog was feted like a film star.

Three years after their climb, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary stepped onto the top of Everest for the first time.

Herzog died in France in 2012 aged 93.

W.Tam--ThChM