Liaylak Valley, Pik Blok, west face. From July 28 to August 6 Belorussian Alexander Maximenja made a solo first ascent on the west face of Pik Blok (5,239m). The new route lies parallel to and left of the Valiev Route, was graded Russian 6A, and had technical difficulties of F6a and A4. Blok, which lies on the eastern rim of the Liaylak Valley, was originally climbed in 1983 during the first Soviet Championships to be held in the area.

Anna Piunova, www.mountain.ru