Marc Batard is a French mountaineer, lecturer, painter, born November 22, 1951 in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. He is best known for having made the first ascent of Everest alone and without oxygen in less than 24 hours. At 18, he discovered the high mountains. He begins mountaineering in the Pyrenees, in Luchon. Despite his small size (1.67 m for 55 kg), he has an exceptional physique that ranks him above the average of other great mountaineers. With only two years of mountaineering behind him, he ranks 22nd out of the 45 places available, for the 200 candidates, in the aspiring guide competition. His technical skill and his very strong endurance allow him this performance.