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He knows the Alps, the
Rockies, the mountains of Africa, the Andes and even
the Sahara desert.
He has made many of the greatest climbs in the world,
including Mount Aconcagua, the highest point in the
Andes, and Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa, and a first
attempt on Everest in 1997
Bernard reached the top of the highest mountain in
the world on May 5, 1999, standing atop Mount Everest,
at an altitude of 8,850 metres, or 29,035 feet.
Since the beginning of the year 2000 he climbed heigh
mountains, five in the Andes, one in Indonesia, one
in Russia and Mount McKinley in Alsaka.
On December 10, 2001, he stood atop the world's coldest
peak, Mount Vinson (4,897m),
in Antarctica, crowning his exceptional World
Tour via the highest mountain on each of the 7 continents.
He has received many tributes
for his exploits and achievements, including the titles
of Officer of the Order of Canada
and Chevalier de l'Ordre national
du Québec, along with a medal
from the Quebec National Assembly and two
honorary doctorates. Bernard was honoured by
the Royal Canadian Geographical
Society, which awarded him its highest distinction,
a gold medal. He was recently
made a Chevalier de l’Ordre
national de la Légion d’Honneur
in France.
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