A six-member Indian expedition led by Rajan Rikame climbed two new peaks just west of the Manali-Leh Highway at Kilingsarai (ca 260km drive from Manali), north of the Baralacha La. Peak 5,980m (32.87°N, 77.39°E) was climbed on July 31 by Rohan Rao, Prashant Sawant, and support staff by the east-southeast ridge and face. The team proposed the name Haathi. The second summit, Peak 5,920m (32.81°N, 77.38°E), was climbed on August 3 by Rajan Rikame, Bholaram Thakur, Kaivalya Varma, and the same three support staff, via the northeast ridge and descent of the northwest ridge. The proposed name is Tikona. This peak lies southwest along the ridge from the previously climbed Yunam (6,130m), which the Indians also ascended, from the southeast. All three peaks are non-technical, but despite extensive research the expedition found no recorded ascent of the first two.

Lindsay Griffin