Everest flash: Nives Meroi and Romano Benet summit

Nives Meroi and Romano Benet have summited Everest. The news hit headlines across the web at circa 10.00am CET directly from the 8850m summit of the highest mountain in the world. Nadia Tiraboschi who, together with David Borlini reached the summit of Everest, broke the news on the website www.fancymountain.com.


"Congratulations also to Romano Benet and Nives Meroi who also reached the summit of Everest without oxygen. Nives is certainly the first Italian woman to accomplish such a feat..." is what Nadia Tiraboschi communicated via satellite phone to Marco Astori directly from Everest.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to this super strong couple Meroi-Benet! With this 10th 8000m peak Nives becomes the first Italian woman to reach the summit of Everest with oxygen, after having become the first Italian woman to set foot on the summit of K2. But, above all, Nives is the only woman to have climbed 10 8000m peaks, all without supplementary oxygen and all together with climbing and life partner Romano Benet. And this too is a record!

Everest was no walkover for Romano Benet and Nives Meroi. The two climbed via the North Face and encountered a mountain "crowded" by numerous expeditions, both commercial and non. Furthermore, good weather conditions were few and far between. The two ascended to 8100m and waited for two days for conditions to improve, and last night they set off on their summit bid towards the roof of the world. The two are currently engaged in the long, and never easy descent. We'll keep you informed.

All 8000m peaks climbed by Nives Meroi and Romano Benet (all without supplementary oxygen):
Everest (2007)
Dhaulagiri (2006)
K2 (2006)
Lhotse (2004)
Gasherbrum 1 (2003)
Gasherbrum 2 (2003)
Broad Peak (2003)
Cho Oyu (1999)
Shisha Pangma (1999)
Nanga Parbat (1998)