He made his first expedition to the Andes in 1980 and began climbing the eight-thousanders in 1982 with an ascent of Nanga Parbat. Thirteen years later, in 1995, he climbed the last of them, Kangchenjunga. Loretan took the principles of climbing fast and light in the Alps and applied them to the biggest mountains on Earth.
In 1980, he initiated his journey to the Andes; then, in 1982, he started ascending eight-thousanders with a climb of Nanga Parbat. Thirteen years later, in 1995, he reached the final one, Kangchenjunga. Loretan used Alpine climbing methods for expeditions on Earth's highest mountains.