First attempt at a winter ascent of Nanga Parbat

Climb, News — By Admin on November 24, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Early this year, The North Face Alpinists Simone Moro, Denis Urubko and Cory Richards achieved the first winter ascent of Gasherbrum II. Following their success, they will attempt to scale another of the great Himalayan peaks, Nanga Parbat.

Departing on Boxing Day during the formidable Himalayan winter season, the trio will attempt the ascent dependant on a minimal weather window between the end of January and March 2012.

Leading the expedition is renowned Italian alpinist and The North Face athlete, Simone Moro, who has over 40 expedition achievements to his name, including eleven in winter, and numerous first winter ascents.

Accompanying Moro is long-time climbing partner, Kazakh Denis Urubko, who has summated each of the world’s fourteen 8000m peaks without oxygen. American climber and outdoor photographer, Cory Richards, will not only climb alongside Moro and Urubko, but aims to capture the expedition’s key moments digitally.

Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan, Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest mountain in the world and the second highest peak in Pakistan. First climbed by an Austrian alpinist, Hermann Buhl on July 3rd 1953, Buhl also is also the only man ever to climb an 8,000m solo. Nanga Parbat is also known as ‘Killer Mountain’ being one of the most deadly 8000-ers, having claimed many lives between 1930-1953 and in recent decades. It is considered one of the most seriously difficult to climb and has been the most attempted 8,000m peak in winter since 1990.

Follow highlights as well as news of the build up to the expedition at: http://www.thenorthfacejournal.com/nanga-parbat-winter-expedition/