REPLAY | Interview with Serge Bazin, expedition leader at 8000 meters altitude

Originally from Toulon and trained as a surveyor, Serge settled in Chamonix in 1985. While he has completed the ascent of several Big Walls in climbing, including El Capitan eight times, it is for the Himalayas, Nepal in particular, that he has been passionate for 30 years. Treks, traversées, ascents at 6000, 7000, 8000 meters... His experience places him among the most experienced French guides at high altitude. He has notably guided participants to the summit of Makalu (8475 m), Manaslu (8163 m) and Cho Oyu (8201 m). Serge is also the expedition leader for our upcoming ascent of Pic Lenin (7134 m) in July 2022 and our Makalu expedition in April 2023. 

During our interview conducted by Eric Bonnem, founder of Secret Planet, and David Ducoin, head of the Himalaya and Latin America sector, Serge talks to us about the 8000 meter summits he knows best and their characteristics, the reasons that drive us to want to brush up against the "death zone", the key success factors for such summits, their preparation, the general and local organisation, oxygen... He explains how to optimise our chances of success on such an expedition, both in the technical aspect and in group management, both in the pace of building up strength and in progression.

Find out more :

• Ascent of Pic Lenin at 7134 meters, of which Serge Bazin is the expedition leader, next departure in July 2022.
• Ascent of Makalu (8485 m) guided by Serge Bazin, next departure in April 2023.