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While Marc Batard climbed one last time to the North Col (7.000m) and is planning to come back next year as part of a scientific expedition to attempt a new speed climb of Everest, François and Martine Marsigny from Chamonix, had to stop at 8 600m, yesterday, only 250 meters from the summit. Martine was suffering from corneal flash burns, and according to her husband, would have frozen her cornea. According to people close to the mountaineers, Martine decided to use oxygen from the last camp (8.300m) to maximize their chances of reaching the summit, where the couple would deploy a banner reading "Annecy 2018". But the cold temperatures (-30oC) defeated their efforts. According to Marc Batard, contacted by phone, another guide from Chamonix, Ludovic Challeat which organized the expedition, had continued his climb towards the summit.
in "Le Dauphine" 05/21/2009
