Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Mururata, South Face, Matti Ma Felici Bolivia, Cordillera Real

On July 4, 2022, Maria Teresa Llampa Vasquez and I climbed a new route on the south face of Mururata (5,871m). [Although always traditionally called the south face, this broad snow/ice wall faces more southwest.] We started near Guias AGMTB, the A...

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| Published 2022 | Author Daniele Assolari


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Huallomen, Southwest Face, Via del Triangolo and Ruta Imantata Bolivia, Cordillera Real

At the start of June 2022, Maria Teresa Llampa Vasquez and I decided to try one of the mixed routes on the southwest face of Huallomen (5,463m). Looking at the face from Condoriri Base Camp, we immediately saw the potential for a new line. We lef...

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| Published 2023 | Author Daniele Assolari


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
La Popa, El Visitante Mexico, Nuevo León

In February 2023, Jacob Cook and Drew Marshall opened another route on the east face of La Popa. El Visitante (7 pitches, 5.13c) is now the hardest route on the wall. The duo dedicated six weeks to exploring the remote desert and establishing the ...

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| Published 2023 | Author Whitney Clark


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Dzashez Kangri and Manlung Kangri India, Ladakh, Eastern Karakoram, Saser Muztagh

Our expedition, jointly organized by the Himalayan Club and Chakram Hikers, uncovered a hidden treasure of unclimbed peaks in the Thangman Lungpa, located in the Saser Muztagh, the easternmost subrange of the Karakoram. In August, Sudeep Barve, Mo...

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| Published 2023 | Author Divyesh Muni


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Muchu Chhish, Attempts Pakistan, Karakoram, Batura Muztagh

In July, two teams attempted unclimbed Muchu Chhish (7,453m) in the Batura Muztagh, north of the Hunza Valley. As with previous expeditions, they followed a prominent ridge that extends to the south from the Batura Wall. This was the route followe...

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| Published 2023 | Author Lindsay Griffin


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Trivor, Attempt on North Face Pakistan, Karakoram, Hispar Muztagh

In June, Thomas Franchini made a solo attempt on the north face of Trivor (7,728m) in the Hispar Muztagh. He approached up the Momhil Valley, where he had climbed the previous year (AAJ 2023). Unfortunately, in June and July 2023 the conditions we...

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| Published 2023 | Author Lindsay Griffin


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Kjerag, Silverback Norway, Rogaland

On the north face of Kjerag, the 1,100m wall rising above the south shore of the Lysefjord, Jon Egil Auestad and Jan Eivind Danielsen (Norway) completed a new route on September 9 and 10. The two had explored the upper route earlier in the summer,...

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| Published 2023 | Author Dougald MacDonald


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Gunj-e-Dur Valley, Tuki Sar and AK Sar Pakistan, Karakoram, Ghujerab Mountains, Shuijerab Subgroup

(A) Peak 282 and (B) Peak 283 (Tuki Sar, 5,850m). The ascent of Tuki Sar was near the right skyline. The climbers then traversed to Peak 281 (AK Sar), hidden behind Peak 282. Photo by Jacob Dyer. In August, after over a year of planning, Will...

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| Published 2023 | Author Jacob Dyer


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Southeast Boisum Glacier Area, Various Ascents Pakistan, Karakoram, Ghujerab Mountains

The lead-up to our planned trip to India had been a test of bureaucratic nerves, ultimately ending with it falling through at late notice. With little time, we managed to throw together a new itinerary in Pakistan, and on August 27, Arran Turton-P...

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| Published 2023 | Author Lee Harrison


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Shar Izat Peak, Attempt on South Ridge Reaching Three Subsidiary Summits Pakistan, Karakoram, Ghujerab Mountains

In September, Tim Oates and I hoped to make the first ascent of Dih Sar (6,200m) by the east ridge. Our plan involved crossing Joshi Pass (5,423m, 36°32’25.44”N, 75°18’26.63”E) to reach a base camp on the Dih Glacier. Unfortunately, Tim got altitu...

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| Published 2023 | Author Peter Thompson


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Saraghrar Northwest II, Southwest Pillar, Alpine-Style Ascent Pakistan, Hindu Kush

In August 1982, after attempts by Spanish climbers in 1975 and 1977, a third Spanish team, comprising seven members led by Joan López, made the first ascent of the southwest pillar of Saraghrar Northwest, reaching an indistinct top on the northwe...

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| Published 2023 | Author Lindsay Griffin


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Mirror Wall, Direct West Face, Attempt Greenland, East Greenland, Renland

The spectacular 1,200m west face of Mirror Wall (2,030m) appeared on most climbers’ radar during the first decade of the new millennium, when it was named and photographed by a British expedition. It was climbed in 2012, when a four-member Swiss t...

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| Published 2023 | Author Lindsay Griffin


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Oqatssut Wall, Fram, Winter First Ascent Greenland, West Greenland, Uummannaq Region

Pawel Haldas and I quickly learned that the temperature in West Greenland varies enormously in winter, and speed is often key to success when one’s access is dependent on sea ice. Our original goals lay on the walls of Storen, Uummannaq, and Agpat...

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| Published 2023 | Author Marcin Tomaszewski


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Muisky Giant, South Peak, and Katya Repina Peak Russia, Buryatia Republic, South Muya Range

In late July and August, Ivan Shilnikov, Pavel Tkachenko, and I spent two weeks exploring the area west of Muisky Giant (also spelled Muiski or Muysky, 3,067m), the second-highest peak of Transbaikalia. This area of the South Muya Range (South Mui...

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| Published 2023 | Author Evgeny Glazunov


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Abercrombie Mountain, Moonlight Mile Alaska, Chugach Mountains

As Jed Brown observed in a report about his and Colin Haley’s first ascent of the southwest face of Abercrombie Mountain (7,037’) in 2007, good spring alpine conditions around Valdez are hard to come by. The mountains begin at sea level and rise t...

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| Published 2023 | Author Simon Frez-Albrecht


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Hearth Mountain, Southwest Face Alaska, Kenai Mountains

On April 7, Laron Thomas and I set out to explore a likely unclimbed 3,500’-plus couloir that slashes up the southwest face of Hearth Mountain. Standing at 6,182’, Hearth is located up the South Fork of the Snow River in the Kenai Mountains. We s...

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| Published 2023 | Author Joe Nyholm


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Nenana Mountain, Inflation Tower Alaska, Alaska Range, Hayes Range

The relative ease of access to Nenana Mountain, at the western margin of the Hayes Range, makes it well suited for smash-and-grab trips during short Alaskan high-pressure systems. On August 1, Tristan O’Donoghue and I returned to Nenana Mountain (...

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| Published 2023 | Author Ethan Berkeland


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Mt. Hunter, Mini-Moonflower Buttress, Shadow People Alaska, Central Alaska Range

After climbing a new route on Mt. Huntington (see story here) with Zac Colbran, Dane Steadman and I bumped over to the Southeast Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier at the end of April. In ten days, we caught just one frigid day to climb between weather ...

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| Published 2023 | Author Grant Stewart


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Denali, West Buttress, Fastest Known Time Alaska, Central Alaska Range

On June 5, Jack Kuenzle (USA) climbed and descended the West Buttress route on Denali (20,310’), using skis, in 10 hours, 14 minutes, 57 seconds. Kuenzle followed the Rescue Gully cutoff between the two highest camps on the route. The previous fas...

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| Published 2023 | Author The Editors


Climbs And Expeditions AAJ
Cemetery Spire, Gold Rush Alaska, Alaska Range, Kichatna Mountains

Silvia Loreggian and I arrived in Alaska in mid-May for our first expedition to the Alaska Range, unsure what lay in store. At the first opportunity that weather allowed, we flew into the Kichatna Mountains and established a base camp on the Cul-d...

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| Published 2023 | Author Stefano Ragazzo