Bogda Attempt, 1980. In October, 1980 Austrians under the leadership of Markus Schmuck undertook the ascent of Bogda, the base of which they reached in a 24-day approach via Heavenly Lake. Snow lay as low as 7500 feet. They placed Base Camp at 12,000 feet and another camp at 15,425 feet in the col at the foot of the northeast ridge. Schmuck and E. Haase decided not to follow the ridge to the summit because of avalanche danger.