From suffering last-minute permit angst, to crossing a “Trash-Compactor” corridor of calving seracs six times, to climbing “Eldo in a blender” choss, Kenton Cool, Ian Parnell and John Varco earned their first ascent of the Southwest Ridge (VI 5.10X M5, 2400m) on Annapurna III (7555m), October 27-November 6, 2003. A full account of their expedition appears in Issue 7.