Race against the storm: SA climbers make early push for Annapurna summit
With the weight of a nation’s hopes on their shoulders and the peak of Annapurna looming above, South African mountaineers Warren Eva and John Black are accelerating their summit plans amid fast-changing weather conditions in the Himalayas.
Originally aiming to reach the summit at the end of April, the climbers have made a calculated, high-stakes decision to begin their final ascent this weekend.
The move comes as heavy snowfall is forecast to hit the region early next week — a development that could close their summit window entirely and make the mountain impassable for the rest of the season.
Speaking from base camp, Warren and John shared an honest and detailed update on the decision. “There’s been very little snow until now, which has left the ice exposed, making some parts of the route more dangerous,” Warren explained. “We’ve had high winds all week, and now we’re facing a meter of snow by Monday. If we don’t go now, we may not get another chance.”
The new plan is to bypass Camp 1 and head directly to Camp 2 tomorrow. After a night’s rest and an early start on Saturday to avoid avalanche-prone conditions, they’ll aim to reach Camp 3. From there, they plan to rest briefly at Camp 4 before beginning their summit push late on Saturday night — a grueling 10–12 hour climb that could see them plant the South African flag on Annapurna’s summit by sunrise.
“This isn’t how we envisioned the climb,” John admitted. “But big mountains come with big variables. We’re adapting and doing what we believe is safest and most pragmatic under the circumstances.”
If successful, Warren and John will become the first South Africans to summit Annapurna — a notoriously perilous 8,091-metre giant and the 10th highest peak in the world.
They’ve vowed to keep things “safe, tidy, and smart.” And as the clock ticks down, their grit and teamwork are on full display — pushing forward with clear minds, focused hearts, and the hopes of a nation tucked into their packs.
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