In 1988, Marc Batard became the Everest sprinter, the first man to climb the Roof of the World in less than 24 hours, without bottle oxygen. A record that still stands. 34 years later, we went to meet Marc Batard at his home, before his departure for Everest, which he hopes to climb again for a new kind of record, the Everest at 70 years old. Without bottled oxygen, of course. Settled in a lost hamlet in centre of France with his husband, Marc Batard is ready for his third confrontation with Everest. Interview with him before his departure.
Alpine Mag : Why go back to the Everest?
Marc Batard : It was by chance! I really stopped chasing the high mountains quite a while ago. I had to meet Denis – who became my husband – eight years ago. Four or five years ago, I suggested to him to