The Altai

Exploration in Southern Siberia, 9th-28th August 2012

Photos

Walking out along the ridge to the E of the basecamp valley site.
A view across the approach valleys on the way into basecamp.
Awaiting pickup at the end of the trip, hoping our driver will arrive on time!
A major confluence between two rivers in the Altai on the drive from Barnaul to Kurai.
Being dropped off in the valley before the 12km walk to basecamp.
Eleri walks back from Irbistu (3967m) across the SW slopes.
Eleri looking out across the entire Altai landscape.
On the ridge to the north of Irbistu, the rocky north ridge can be seen in the background.
Kurai village, where we stayed for the night during the journey to the mountains.
Meeting 3 Russian hikers at basecamp, who stayed with us for a few nights before their own attempt on Irbistu (3967m).
Temporary camp on the way up the approach valley towards basecamp.
Clay on the approach ridge to Irbitstu (3967m).
Eleri on the final slope up to Irbistu (3967m).
Eleri on the summit of Irbistu (3967m).
Packing up the bivy site to begin the ascent of Dzhaniktu (3942m) at 3am.
George resting on a windy day at basecamp, checking the weather forcast texts.
George making a face as he places gear on the first ascent of Karashah Corner (HS 4b) on a small crag near to camp.
Clipping cams on the first ascent of Karashah Corner (HS 4b) on a small crag near to camp.
Eleri begins to take coils at the start of the short glacier section en route to the summit of Irbistu (3967m).
Clay on the ascent of the valley ridge in the Berghaus Asgard jacket.
George on a blustery ascent of a scree ridge in a Berghaus hydrophobic down jacket (to be released Autumn-Winter 2012).
Eleri on the approach ridge to Irbistu (3967m) with the view back towards basecamp below.
Clay grabs the first ascent of the crag on a route we named Karohshi Crack (S 4a). Views across to Dzhaniktu in the background.
The whole team in camp with three Russian hikers who joined us at basecamp for a few days.
Interviewing the Russians (Alex & Anthony) in their tent about their climbing background.
Inspecting some of the 30 year old handmade Russian nuts they had on their rack.
Eleri begins to take coils at the start of the short glacier section en route to the summit of Irbistu (3967m).
A small trail of headlamps leaves the bivy site heading for Dzhaniktu (3942m) early in the morning.
Basecamp tent on a clear night, with the Milky Way streaking across the sky.
The village of Kurai, where we spent two nights in total to break up the long journey between Barnaul airport and the basecamp valley.
George looking serious as he heads up the first ascent of Karashah Corner (HS 4b).
A small child playing on the ruins of the sports stadium in Beltyr, which was hit by a devastating earthquake on 27th September 2003.