Pierre Allain has died

On 19 December 2000, Pierre Allain, a renowned French mountaineer who had become famous in the 1930s and 1940s for a number of significant ascents – including the first ascent of the north face of the Petit Dru in 1935, together with Raymond Leininger – died in Grenoble. He contributed to the development of climbing equipment, including the first climbing shoes with smooth soles, known as “PA” after his initials.