Muztagh Ata part 1

muztaghgMuztagh Ata is a dormant volcano. It is the 2nd highest peak in the Kun Lun range measuring 7546 m. Due to next to no technical or difficult climbing it is often chosen by skiers. However it stands almost alone facing deserts resulting in frequent weather changes and massive snowfall.

The base camp is located at 4400 m In the centre there is a mobile phone tower ensuring connection to the outside world. Next to it stands high pole with a Chinese flag – a clear reminder who owns these lands and is in charge.

As we had chosen the cheapest option there were no porters, fixed tent or canteen waiting for us. As soon as we arrived we put up our tents. We split into 3 pairs according to the tents we were going to live in. My climbing partner Wacław, due to big age difference between us, was often mistaken for my father laugh

On the following day we hiked up to make camp 1. However due to big altitude difference between camps we decided to stop at 5200 m. After a night there we went back to C1. Following a 1 day rest we continued our acclimatization. We went up to C1 proper at 5400 and stayed there for a day. On July 4th we climbed up but bad weather forced us to stop at 6100 m. Morning snowstorms discouraged any activity. Afternoon brought improvement in weather conditions so we went up to C2 at 6200 m where we left a cache of equipment and food and went back to our tents. Overnight we got more snow which covered the route and made it harder to descend. Guide by flagpoles left by the Chinese climbers we reached BC in the evening. Now we had to rest, bid our time and hope for the good weather for the summit push.

This is how we made ourselves at home in the base https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvh1TGd6pA

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