Dhaulagiri Expedition Spring- (8,167m)

Literally, the meaning of ‘Dhaulagiri’ is ‘White Mountain’. Mount Dhaulagiri, situated at an altitude of 8167m was first conquered by the Swiss in 1960. British surveyors in India in the early 1800s sighted this mountain and it was mapped by one of the secret Indian surveyors, the pundits, in 1873. However, the region remained mysterious until a Swiss aerial survey in 1949. It was attempted by a Swiss party in 1953 but could not complete. Again, the Argentine group also tried one year later but could not succeed followed by four more failed expeditions.

Finally, eight members of a Swiss expedition successfully reached the summit in 1960 via a circuitous route around the mountain from Tukuche, over Dhampus pass As French Col, approaching from the North-East Col. That expedition was provided by a Swiss Pilatus Porter aircraft, the "Yeti" which landed on the North-East Col at an altitude of 5977m. Unfortunately, the plane crashed near Dhampus pass, and the pilots, including the famous Emil Wick, climb down the mountain to Tukuche while returning back.

Seven members of a US expedition were killed in a massif avalanche on the East Dhaulagiri Glacier in the 1969. This mountain was climbed by the Japanese in 1970s, the Americans in 1973, and the Italians in 1976. The one who airdropped necessary supplies to the US expedition from a Pilatus Porter aircrafts was Captain Emil Wick. Among which were two bottles of wine and a live chicken that they finally eat only after they reach Marpha as the Sherpas did not allow the chicken to be killed on the mountain.