Hristo Ivanov Prodanov also known as Christo Prodanov (Bulgarian: Христо Иванов Проданов; 24 February 1943 – 21 April 1984)[1][2] was a Bulgarianmountaineer.[3] Prodanov was the first Bulgarian to climb Mount Everest,[2] doing it via the most difficult way—the West Ridge—as well as alone and without oxygen. Prodanov was the first person to climb Everest in April, when the weather conditions are generally too bad for an expedition, and also the thirteenth person (first person from the West Ridge) to climb Everest without using bottled oxygen. Climbing the summit at 18:15 local time, he had to descend overnight and got lost shortly after that. On the next afternoon, he reported he had lost his gloves and soon would be unable to hold the radio button long enough to talk. His body was never found.
Prodanov was still a student when he became involved in mountaineering. He began work as a metallurgicalengineer in Kremikovtzi AD in 1976. He had his first 7000 m ascent on 6 August 1967 when he climbed Lenin Peak. He had previously climbed several peaks in the Alps.
His major successes were related to Hindu Kush (1976) and Lhotse. In 1981, he was the first Bulgarian to climb Lhotse without the use of supplementary oxygen.
Personal Life
His niece, Mariana Prodanova Maslarova,[4] attempted to climb Mt. Everest (without the use of supplemental oxygen) on the 20th anniversary of her uncle's death. Maslarova died of exposure at 8,700 meters, exactly 20 years and 30 days after her uncle.[5]
Climbs
8000m ascents
Lhotse (8516m) - 30 April 1981, solo, without oxygen
Everest (8848m) - 20 April 1984, solo, without oxygen
7000m ascents
Lenin Peak (7134m) - 2 August 1975, 28 July 1982, 6 August 1982, 13 July 1983, 2 August 1983
Communism Peak, today known as Ismail Samani Peak (7495m) - 29 July 1980, 24 July 1983
Peak Korzhenevskaya (7105m) - 28 July 1979, 31 July 1979, 8 August 1982, 29 July 1983