Asia, Nepal, Annapurna Himal, Umbak Himal, Pabuk Kang, First Known Attempt

Publication Year: 2006.

Pabuk Kang, first known attempt. Two Japanese, led by the explorer-mountaineer Tamotsu Ohnishi, who specializes in visiting remote areas along Nepal’s border with Tibet, planned to try the south side of Pabuk Kang [6,244m; just east of the Pabuk La at the head of the Yangma valley in the Ohmi Kangri Group, first brought onto the permitted list in 2003—Ed.].

On October 20 they pitched their advanced base camp at 5,550m just east of the Yanmakang Pass (a.k.a. Pabuk La, Dhangla Bhanjyang) and south-southwest of the peak. For the next three days it snowed, depositing 130 cm, and the two climbers abandoned their plans. On the approach to the mountain they met five parties of Maoists but paid only two of them, paying 2,000Rs or about $27 per member to each party.

Elizabeth Hawley, AAC Honorary Member, Nepal.