Asia, India, Western Garhwal, Gangotri, Bhagirathi III (6454m), Attempt

Publication Year: 2002.

Bhagirathi III (6454m), attempt. The four-man German team of Robert Jasper, Walter Hölzler, and Rainer Treppte with cameraman Jochen Schmoll planned to climb the true crest of the southwest pillar, left of the 1982 Barton-Fyffe Route. The climbers established an advanced base during early May in the glacier bay below the west face. They then climbed the left (north) side of the lower crest to place a portaledge camp on the obvious snow patch at around half-height on the pillar. However, bad weather and an early monsoon dogged their efforts and they eventually had to give up in early June after Holzer and Treppte had reached a high point of ca 5800m, just 100 meters or so short of the end of the major rock climbing difficulties.

Harish Kapadia, Honorary Editor, The Himalayan Journal