Warren Eva Plants SA Flag on Annupurna Summit
It’s a momentous day for South Africa and a monumental achievement in mountaineering history — as 43-year-old Warren Eva flies the SA flag high to become the first South African to summit Annapurna, one of the deadliest mountains on Earth.
In the early hours of this morning, just before 05:30 SA time, Warren reached the 8,091-metre peak, planting the SA flag at the top of the world’s tenth-highest mountain. His teammate, John Black, made the brave decision to turn back to Camp 3 in the interest of safety. The two climbers had launched their final summit push the previous evening, navigating brutal winds and sub-zero conditions.
Their path to the top was anything but easy. 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.
Raising the SA Flag on One of the World’s Deadliest Climbs
The duo battled relentless -30°C temperatures and treacherous terrain, including the infamous “Couloir” — a steep gully notorious for deadly avalanches. After a grueling six-hour climb, they reached Camp 3, while other climbers on the mountain were forced to abandon their summit bids due to extreme weather.
“This was one of the most spectacular, but unrelenting, sections of the climb,” Warren said via satellite communication. “We’re grateful to have made it through the most dangerous points.”
Warren’s summit is not just a personal milestone — it’s a feat of extraordinary endurance and mental strength, achieved while carrying the SA flag through the one of the most deadliest mountains in the world.
The expedition also has a purpose greater than the summit itself. Warren and John have been raising funds for Food For Hope, a South African initiative that feeds malnourished children. So far, more than R57,000 has been raised — and that number is climbing.
Read More: Race Against the storm- Early push to reach Annapurna Summit
Final Thoughts
But the journey isn’t over. Descending Annapurna is notoriously treacherous — often more so than the climb up. While Warren has already made history for South Africa by planting the SA flag, he now faces the dangerous trek back down the mountain. HOT 1027 and listeners across the country are holding their breath — and cheering him on every step of the way.
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Warren Eva Safe as Avalanche Hits the Annapurna Mountain
