Interview conducted by Manuela Salvi, journalist at RTS.
Sophie Lavaud dedicates her life to Himalayan expeditions. On June 26, 2023, she reached the summit of Nanga Parbat (8126 m), making history as the first Swiss woman to climb all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters. Over eleven years, she successfully ascended K2, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Gasherbrum I & II, Broad Peak, Manaslu, Everest, Annapurna, Kangchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, and Shishapangma.
Her journey began in 2004, when a friendly challenge led her to climb Mont Blanc, sparking a passion for summits in this Lausanne-born woman (born 1968). In 2014, she attempted the north ridge of Everest, and mountain guide and filmmaker François Damilano documented her journey in On va marcher sur l’Everest. He repeated the experience in 2016 with K2, une journée particulière, which won several festival awards. Her latest film, Le dernier sommet (2024), captures her breathtaking ascent of Nanga Parbat. Together with Damilano, she co-authored Les quatorze 8000 de Sophie Lavaud (Glénat, 2024), a powerful story of tenacity and courage.
In French.
