In late September myself and Nick Bullock headed out to Sichuan to attempt the first ascent of the south face of Minya Konka. Despite only having been climbed by the relatively straightforward north east and north west ridges, the mountain has a very dubious reputation for the number of people who have died while attempting it.
This group (part of the southern end of the Nalakankar Himal) lies in the very furthest NW corner of Nepal (just south of Gurla Mandhata 7694m) geographically in Tibet whilst politically in Nepal. It is trans-Himalayan rather like Dolpo or Mustang.
Julian Freeman-Attwood led a team comprising AC members Ed Douglas, Nick Colton and Bruce Normand along with Christof Nettekoven.
Flat Top, The North Spur is Centre Right and the East Ridge is on the left
The Anglo-New Zealand Kishtwar is a bit of a grand name for Richard “Reg” Measures’ and my (both AC members) trip to the Indian Himalaya – originally Steve Fortune from New Zealand was going to join us as well, but two months before departing, work commitments meant he was unable too.
The aims of the trip were to make the first ascent of the North Spur of Flat Top (6100m) and the South Face of the Kishtwar Eiger (circa 6000m). Ultimately we were unsuccessful on attempts on both of these peaks due to unseasonably bad weather.
Going climbing or trekking in Nepal sometime soon?
If so, here’s a chance to come home with much lighter bags and to support a very worthy cause at the same time
