It was 01:20 a.m. by China hour (by Nepal hour 23:00p.m.) The night  was freezing and pitch-black. Despite the twinkling stars in the sky, we were blanketed in a  deep darkness. The journey which had begun with our head- lamps on shifted towards  our inner worlds. At that moment, life was all about  cramponing the snow at a steady pace… The only thing which disrupted us was Francois who had to go back because of a bad stomach. Now, it was the two of us: two small men in a huge, bitterly cold and  dark mountain; two miniature lamp lights…

  The temperature was  probably  minus 20°C. Thierry was 50 meters ahead of me. I wasn’t looking but I knew he was there. Upon  reaching the third camp at 7500 meters  around 04:30, we rushed into a tent for a short rest. Some hot fluid and chocolate… It was no use lingering, we had to set off in no time! In the persistent darkness, the slope was steepening more and more…

  We had a long way to go. I had totally lost the concept of time because we  were climbing at a pace which seemed like infinity. Although we were fortunate enough to have  calm weather, it was so cold and dry that it felt as if my lungs were shrinking. Far away, maybe hundred kilometers away lightnings were flashing and lightening the clouds. But there was no need to worry; only a view, a fantastic view…

  There was a strange feeling inside me. I began to feel too tired: lack of oxygen! Furthermore, my mind was very busy that morning: one part of me was very conscious, knowing what I was doing, how I should use the ice pick and crampon  and every move I make. The other part was telling me to be more sensible and asking me what I was doing there, in that cold, dark and hostile place. I tried to ignore it. Lack of oxygen and every step I took brought me closer to death. I needed more breath and determination. I was continuing my journey through willpower.

  Insanity could be the explanation of the situation. I couldn’t hurry  at all. Now and then I chose a rock as a target, when I reached it I chose another one and  kept on climbing. I was counting my steps; when I got confused, I was starting again. How long was I going to carry on? Where would I stop? Now we were on a wide plateau which was rarely seen at the peak of a mountain. Thierry was standing 100 meters ahead by sacred scarves called“ kata”. The summit! It was a sunny day without a wind. I took off my jacket, put it in my bag, drank some fluid and made my way towards the summit. Step by step…

  They had told me that at the peak of Mount Cho Oyu you could see Mount Everest. Just before the summit, Mounts Everest, Lhotse and Kanchenjunga appeared in the east. By China hour it was10:30 (by Nepal hour 08:15).

  Thierry and I hugged  but  couldn’t remember each other’s  name. The side effect of lack of oxygen. In this way, starting from the second camp we were able to cover 1200 meters and reach the summit  in 9 hours without using any oxygen. I was delighted! Our lungs were enjoying the airless air of the 8205 meters. We took photos repeatedly and then it was the time to descend. We had to hurry. Thierry was vomiting.