June 27

Frank Smythe (1900-1949) was an English botanist and mountaineer renowned for his pioneering Himalayan expeditions in the 1930s. He was a member of the 1933 Everest expedition and is credited with discovering the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand. Smythe combined scientific rigor with exploration, documenting high-altitude flora and writing books such as 'The Valley of Flowers' and 'The Conquest of Everest'. He served in World War II and later became a prominent conservationist, advocating for the protection of mountain ecosystems. Smythe's vivid writing and photographs brought the beauty and challenges of the Himalayas to a global audience. His legacy endures in both botanical science and mountaineering history.

Hermann Buhl (1924-1957) was an Austrian mountaineer whose daring feats transformed Himalayan climbing. In 1953, he completed the first ascent of Nanga Parbat, 8125 meters, in a solo push that became legendary in alpinism. A veteran of World War II, Buhl's military training honed his endurance and resilience under extreme conditions. He died in a fall on Chogolisa in 1957, but his writings and the 'Hermann Buhl route' on Nanga Parbat continue to inspire climbers. Known for his minimalist style and unyielding spirit, Buhl remains a towering figure in the history of mountaineering.