En route to Nanga Parabt

Camp 4 , 7100 meters

Rick and I arrived at camp 4 and posed for this photograph!The summit Pyramid is behind. If you cick on this photo it enlarges and you will see that Stotes man is hitching a lit in my pocket!

Good boots and well fitting crampons are essential!

Camp 3 Nanga Parbat

Eventually C3 became a small tented village! Behind is the Monzino ridge, attempted by Doug Scott, Voy Kurtica, Andrew Lock, Rick Allen and Sandy Allan from the other side of the mountain many years ago!

Vanga Tents at C3 and alter we moved the Red/Blackthree mantent up to C4.

Looking back at Rick coming up from C2, Nanga Parbat

Images from Naga Parbat

Fun with Miss Oh, on a "Black Yak" photo shoot above base camp! Black Yak manufactures climbing clothing and equipment for the Korean and Chinese market!Miss Oh, is an outstanding experienced Korean Mountaineer who has climbed many of the worlds 8000meter peaks and hopes to get them all climbed soon. She summited Nanga Parabat on the same day as Rick and I with her team of Sherpas.

Rick (in blue) and Gunter at Camp 2 on Nanga Parbat

Climber on the fixed ropes of the Kinshoffer wall!

Third Climber Reaches Summit

It is with great pleasure and much sounding of trumpets that I can confirm that a third member of the 2009 Team Ascent Nanga Parbat Expedition has reached the summit.

Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world at 26,660ft, is renowned for its awe inspiring beauty and dangers. The Press and Journal reporter, Jonny Muir has put this into perspective for low altitude walkers such as myself by stating "it is six times the height of Ben Macdhui, the highest point in the Cairngorms." Imagine it! Next time you fly, think about it!

So, for our hero from Edinburgh this summit must be seen as a pinnacle of achievement and must indeed be a personal best. He learnt new skills, he kept himself warm and dry with the help of gear from Mountain Equipment. By Camp 3 he was responsible for melting ice with the Primus Stoves which helped hydrate and sustain the other climbers. Above all, unlike many other climbers, his conversation never ever mentioned food.

The Climber?...Mr Stoats Man, who has gone where no other porridge oats bar has gone before.

We salute you and look forward to hearing your story.

Summit Photos

Sandy (top) and Rick (bottom) on the top of Nanga Parbat.

Sad News

Nanga Parbat has once more lived-up to its name of "Killer Mountain" and claimed the lives of two more climbers. One member of the Austrian Team, Wolfgang Koblinger disappeared just below the summit and Miss Go from the Korean team fell on her way down from the summit between Camps 2 and 3.

This news came through just after speaking to Sandy yesterday and elation quickly transformed to dismay. Before going too Nanga Parbat Sandy found himself re-visiting the places he ventured as a child, places where we as a family played. Unlike the rest of us, he knew where he was going and the risks he was taking. As for me, about a week into the trip my brain located the file of the "The Naked Mountain" and "Nanga Parbat Pilgrimmage," books I had read many years ago. Since, then I have been a wreck, all the time pretending to be calm. I have sometimes climbed with Sandy, even in the Himalayas, and still I do not know what this game is about. Somehow, I do not think its really about a summit, its perhaps more about self respect and dignity. We are so lucky, it is not our brother, sister, daughter, son, friend or acquaintance that has lost their lives. My sympathy goes out to all of them and I hope that they can find an understanding that will give them peace.

I have heard from him today, all is well. He and Rick are making preparations to leave.

There and Back Again!

Just had a phone call from Sandy! He and Rick reached the summit of Nanga Parbat (8125 m) yesterday at 3pm. They stayed at C4 last night and are now both back at Base Camp.
He sounded happy but we were cut off so no more information.

It's the climb, yeah!