Jean-Noël Roche, born in Annonay, France on December 14, 1949, was a renowned mountaineer, high-mountain guide, and paraglider. He distinguished himself through his pioneering role in Himalayan mountaineering and paragliding, and was considered a major figure in the mountaineering world.
During his career, Jean-Noël Roche participated in numerous prestigious Himalayan expeditions, where he climbed renowned peaks such as Jannu (Nepal) in 1983 and Dhaulagiri in 1984, notably contributing to first ascents. His expertise and daring also allowed him to explore and climb challenging routes in various mountain regions, thus establishing his reputation as an exceptional guide. A thrill-seeker, he passed on this passion to his son, Bertrand Roche, nicknamed "Zébulon," who followed in his footsteps in both mountaineering and paragliding, achieving feats such as the early ascent of Mont Blanc, Himalayan traverses, and a career in free flight. He shared his adventures in several books, including "Pap's and Zébulon, or The Extraordinary Adventures of a 12-Year-Old Mountaineer," written with his wife, Claude Roche. This book illustrates the relationship between Jean-Noël and his son in their alpine and aerial adventures, sharing their passion for the mountains and paragliding.
Jean-Noël Roche died on August 18, 2002, at the age of 52, in a rappelling accident on the Matterhorn in Switzerland, one of the iconic peaks of European mountaineering. Jean-Noël Roche remains an iconic figure in French mountaineering, having left his mark on high-altitude mountaineering and paragliding, while inspiring new generations through his family legacy and his exploits in the Himalayas and beyond. His commitment to the mountains lives on through tributes such as the climbing wall at the Rives de Faya gymnasium in Annonay, which has borne his name since December 2020.
