Kenshi Imai, Kimihiro Miyagi, and Kenro Nakajima hoped to climb K6 West from the north (the same line climbed successfully by Raphael Slawinski and Ian Welsted at the end of July). Leaving base camp at 4,300m on July 4, the three Japanese made an advanced base at 4,450m. The next day they reached the bottom of the northwest face (ca 5,250m) at 7 a.m., and that day climbed to 5,700m and bivouacked. The following day they continued up an ice gully to 6,100m. On July 7 heavy snow kept them at their bivouac site, but on the 8th they were able to continue to 6,450m, just below the crest of the west ridge. More heavy snowfall kept them pinned in their bivouac at this height for a further day, after which they decided to retreat, reaching base camp on July 11.