Kangchenjunga | 1983 N Face

A Switzerland expedition to Kangchenjunga in 1983 via N Face, led by Denis Bertholet. Summit reached on 21st October 1983. 10 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field	Value
ID	142
Imported	2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
Host Country	1
Route 1	N Face
Route 2	-
Route 3	-
Route 4	-
Nationality	Switzerland
Leaders	Denis Bertholet
Sponsor	Swiss Expedition 1983 to Kangchenjunga
Success 1	True
Success 2	False
Success 3	False
Success 4	False
Ascent 1	15th
Ascent 2	-
Ascent 3	-
Ascent 4	-
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Countries	-
Approach	Ghunsa->Pangpema (BC)
Basecamp Date	1983-09-10
Summit Date	1983-10-21
Summit Time	1720
Summit Days	41
Total Days	46
Termination Date	1983-10-26
Termination Reason	1
Termination Notes	-
High Point (m)	8586
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Camps	5
Fixed Rope (m)	0
Total Members	9
Summit Members	2
Member Deaths	0
Total Hired	1
Summit Hired	0
Hired Deaths	0
No Hired	False
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Taken	False
O2 Unknown	False
Other Summits	-
Campsites	BC(10/09,5000m),C1(17/09,5300m),C2(18/09,5800m),C3(30/09,6650m),C4(19/10,7250m),C5(20/10,7750m),Smt(21/10)
Route Notes	BC at Pangpema meadows. No more on top because strong wind next day. Rieben went upon 22rd a little but back without success. Were also ready to go for Yalung Kang summit, but avalanche danger too great and all down to C1 that day and to BC on 23rd and left 26 Oct. Had 2 long spells of bad weather and feared when had only gotten to C3 that would have no success. Did not use Japanese route because too many avalanches onto 1st icefield. From C5 route to Yalang Kang looked more difficult and more risky from avalanches than to main summit. Bruchez has frostbite which will heal, but Michellod may lose some toes which froze while digging C5 snowhole. Khadga, Tourism - 1 Nov 83 Report of members now in KTM: C1 5450m C2 5800m C3 6650m 1 Oct and 4 members here 5 days because bad weather C4 7250m 18 Oct C5 7650m 20 Oct 21 summit 1) Marco Bruchez at 5:20 pm 2) Vincent May and went down to C5 at 8:30 pm in moonlight 22 Oct - 2 summiters and 3 others left C5 to C2 23 Oct - all material to BC 24 Oct - strong wind destroyed BC. Bruchez and Dominique Michellod treated for deep frostbite in feet and hands 25 Oct - 3 left BC to come to KTM by helicopter from Ghunsa; others left BC and should arrive KTM 5 Nov No attempt on Yalung Kang.
Accidents	Bruchez has frostbite which will heal, but Michellod may lose toes which froze while digging C5 snowhole
Achievement	-
Agency	-
Commercial Route	-
Standard Route	-
Primary Route	False
Primary Member	False
Primary Reference	-
Primary ID	-
Checksum	2448152
Year	1983
Summit Success	True
O2 Summary	None
Route (lowercase)	n face

Members

Field	Value
ID	14965
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	01
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Denis
Last Name	Bertholet
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1929
Calculated Age	53
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Leader
Residence	Verbier, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	True
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	0
Summit Term	0
HCN	0
Checksum	2423957
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	denis bertholet
Year of Birth	1929
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	54
Role	Leader

Field	Value
ID	14966
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	03
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Marco
Last Name	Bruchez
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1953
Calculated Age	30
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Climber
Residence	Lourtier, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	8586
Summit Date 1	1983-10-21
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1720
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	15
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	True
Injury Date	1983-10-21
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	3
Injury Height (m)	8500
Death Notes	Frostbitten feet, evacuated to Ktm from Ghunsa
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2432493
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	marco bruchez
Year of Birth	1953
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	30
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	14967
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	04
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Gervais
Last Name	Filliez
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1955
Calculated Age	28
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Climber
Residence	Le Chable, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	0
Summit Term	0
HCN	0
Checksum	2433328
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	gervais filliez
Year of Birth	1955
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	28
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	14968
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	05
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Vincent
Last Name	May
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1951
Calculated Age	32
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Climber
Residence	Fionnay, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	8586
Summit Date 1	1983-10-21
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1720
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	15
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2431912
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	vincent may
Year of Birth	1951
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	32
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	14969
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	06
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Rene
Last Name	Mayor
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1938
Calculated Age	45
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Climber
Residence	Mont-sur-Rolle, Vaud, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	7650
Summit Date 1	1983-10-21
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	3
Summit Term	3
HCN	0
Checksum	2427044
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	rene mayor
Year of Birth	1938
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	45
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	14970
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	07
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Dominique
Last Name	Michellod
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1955
Calculated Age	28
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Climber
Residence	Sion, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	7650
Summit Date 1	1983-10-21
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	True
Injury Date	1983-10-21
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	3
Injury Height (m)	7650
Death Notes	Frostbitten feet, evacuated to Ktm from Ghunsa
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	3
Summit Term	3
HCN	0
Checksum	2433348
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	dominique michellod
Year of Birth	1955
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	28
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	14971
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	08
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Claude
Last Name	Pfefferle
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1953
Calculated Age	29
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Exp Doctor
Residence	Sion, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Physician
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	0
Summit Term	0
HCN	0
Checksum	2432704
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	claude pfefferle
Year of Birth	1953
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	30
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	14972
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	02
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Bernard
Last Name	Polli
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1951
Calculated Age	32
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Deputy Leader
Residence	Verbier, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	True
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	0
Summit Term	0
HCN	0
Checksum	2431671
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	bernard polli
Year of Birth	1951
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	32
Role	Deputy

Field	Value
ID	14973
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	09
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Jean-Pierre
Last Name	Rieben
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1947
Calculated Age	36
Citizenship	Switzerland
Status	Climber
Residence	Les Marecottes, Valais, Switzerland
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	7650
Summit Date 1	1983-10-21
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	3
Summit Term	3
HCN	0
Checksum	2430235
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	jean-pierre rieben
Year of Birth	1947
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	36
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	28586
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Member ID	10
Peak ID	KANG
Year	1983
Season	3
First Name	Pasang Gyalzen
Last Name	Sherpa
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	-
Calculated Age	0
Citizenship	Nepal
Status	Sirdar
Residence	-
Occupation	-
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	True
Sherpa	True
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	0
Summit Term	0
HCN	0
Checksum	-43
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	pasang gyalzen sherpa
Year of Birth	-
Year	1983
Age at Expedition	-
Role	Hired

10 recorded members.

Name	Sex	Year of Birth	Citizenship	Status	Residence	Occupation
Denis Bertholet	M	1929	Switzerland	Leader	Verbier, Valais, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Marco Bruchez	M	1953	Switzerland	Climber	Lourtier, Valais, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Gervais Filliez	M	1955	Switzerland	Climber	Le Chable, Valais, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Vincent May	M	1951	Switzerland	Climber	Fionnay, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Rene Mayor	M	1938	Switzerland	Climber	Mont-sur-Rolle, Vaud, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Dominique Michellod	M	1955	Switzerland	Climber	Sion, Valais, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Claude Pfefferle	M	1953	Switzerland	Exp Doctor	Sion, Valais, Switzerland	Physician	Details Other expeditions
Bernard Polli	M	1951	Switzerland	Deputy Leader	Verbier, Valais, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Jean-Pierre Rieben	M	1947	Switzerland	Climber	Les Marecottes, Valais, Switzerland	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Pasang Gyalzen Sherpa	M	-	Nepal	Sirdar	-	-	Details Other expeditions

References

Field	Value
ID	2025
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Reference ID	01
Year	1983
Type	2
Journal	AAJ
Author	Bertholet, Denis
Title	-
Publisher	-
Publication Date	1984
Language	-
Citation	58:227-228 (1984)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	4076
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Reference ID	02
Year	1983
Type	3
Journal	MM
Author	-
Title	-
Publisher	-
Publication Date	1984
Language	-
Citation	96:10 (Mar 1984)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	12688
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	KANG83301
Reference ID	03
Year	1983
Type	5
Journal	-
Author	-
Title	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12198422700/Asia-Nepal-Kanchenjunga-North-Face
Publisher	-
Publication Date	-
Language	-
Citation	-
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

3 recorded references.

Expedition ID	Journal	Author	Title	Publisher	Citation	Yak 94
KANG83301	AAJ	Bertholet, Denis	-	-	58:227-228 (1984)	-
KANG83301	MM	-	-	-	96:10 (Mar 1984)	-
KANG83301	-	-	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12198422700/Asia-Nepal-Kanchenjunga-North-Face	-	-	-