Chantal Mauduit

Who was Chantal Mauduit?

Chantal Mauduit was a French alpinist. Born in Paris, she arrived in the French Alps at age five and started climbing at the age of 15. After several difficult routes in the Alps, she focused her attention on the Andes, and then the Himalayas, where she climbed K2, Shisha Pangma, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Gasherbrum II, all without supplemental oxygen. Along with her Sherpa partner Ang Tsering, she was killed by an avalanche on Dhaulagiri on May 11, 1998 while asleep in their tent. In honor of her generosity, her friends and family created a foundation to help needy Nepalese children, especially with schooling: The Association Chantal Mauduit Namasté.