Hristo Prodanov

Who was Hristo Prodanov?

Hristo Prodanov was a Bulgarian mountaineer. He was the first Bulgarian to climb Mount Everest. He did this through the more difficult west side and without oxygen and alone. He is the first to climb Everest in April, when the weather conditions are too harsh for an expedition. Unfortunatelly he died in a storm during the descent.

Prodanov was still a student when he became involved in mountaineering. He began work as a metallurgical engineer in Kremikovtzi AD in 1976.

Prodanov had his first 7000 m ascent on August 6, 1967 when he climbed Lenin Peak. He had previously climbed several peaks in the Alps.

His major successes were related to Hindu Kush and Lhotse. In 1981, he was the first Bulgarian to climb Lhotse without the use of supplementary oxygen.