Asia, India—Kashmir and Jammu, White Needle

Publication Year: 1990.

White Needle. Our expedition was composed of Gorka Estomés, Tomás Izco, José Luis Pérez, Mikel Repáraz, Pedro Tous and me as leader. On July 10, we crossed the Suru River and placed Base Camp at 4000 meters in the valley of the Shafat Glacier. On July 13, we occupied Advance Base at 4500 meters. Camps I and II were placed on July 14 and 18 at 5300 and 6000 meters, the latter on the snow plateau. On July 20, Estomés and I crossed the col and climbed the east ridge to the summit of White Needle (6600 meters, 21,654 feet). After three days of non-stop snowfall, another summit attempt was made along with Americans Keith Brown and Jan Harris, but equipment left on the col could not be found and the attempt failed.

Fernando JosÉ FernÁndez, Pamplona, Spain