Slesova, West-Southwest Face, Fiamma d’Oriente. Andrea Zanetti, Cristoforo Groaz and Giorgio Pancheri (Italy) opened a 1300-meter route, Fiamma d’Oriente (7 A3+), on the West-Southwest face of Pik Slesova (Russian Tower, 4240 m) in the Ak-Su Valley. The climb had 33 pitches, and the team spent a total of 12 days on the wall, topping out on July 17. They rapped the route of ascent. The route was dedicated to the alpinists Alessandro Chemelli and Dario Bampi, who died on Mont Blanc on July 18, 1999.

Antonella Cicogna, Italy