Location: Xinjiang Province, Western Tibet.

Date: June/July 2000

Team: For the normal route, Virgin Summits member Walter Keller joined a large international team led by Daniel Mazur. The new route on the east ridge was a three man team consisting of Walter, Daniel and Jon Otto.

Objective: To make an ascent of the normal route, ski down, then climb a new route on the east ridge.

Achievements: See "Objective"!

Sponsors: Patagonia; Serratus; Black Diamond; Bibler Tents; Atlas Snowshoes; Mountainzone.com





Gorakpur station, India and the three golden rules
of travel; travel light, travel light, travel light!


Or at least let someone else carry it.


Lateral Moraine of the Potterfield Glacier.


Camp at 4800m, with Kauxlong peak in the background.


The icefall at c5800 m on the Western Flank (ski descent route).


In camp at 6200m (finding enough snow cover
for the ski descent wasn't a problem!).


Jon Otto on lead between Camps 2 and 3
at about 6200m.


Moving towards camp Camp 3, with The
Dragon Ridge looming ahead.


Walter and Jon at Camp 4, with
Kauxlong peak in the background.


Jon Otto on the East Ridge.


Walter belaying Jon out of Camp 4.


Camp 5 just below the East Face.


A steep section of the new route
on the East Ridge.


High on the East Ridge.
Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Daniel Mazur.


Full details of the expedition and more photographs can be found on Daniel Mazur's website and
Walter's climbing pages

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All photographs © Daniel Mazur