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:::EXPEDITION:EXPEDITION:EXPEDITION:EXPEDITION::: |
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MUZTAGH ATA West Face EXPEDITION 2009 |
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i-EXPLORER.ORG invites you to the summer 2009 Muztagh Ata West Face Expedition (7546m) at the Xinjiang (China) Kulun Shan Range.
It will be attempted the West Face Normal Route.
It is an 18 days (14 climbing) expedition. With open dates, it is scheduled for mid July.
Prices from 3600€ (4500$ / 3100£).
This is a guided expedition where all members will share logistics, services and common climbing equipment except the personal gear.
The expedition has a leader which is responsible for strategy and logistics.
All members assume their responsibility and will follow directives from the briefings.
In spite of the common objective, every member will be able to adapt their own rhythm and schedule.
The expedition will attempt a fast and light type of climb, with 3 altitude camps.
Possible climbing of Kalaxong Peak according to available time and weather, after the Muztagh Ata attempt.
MUZTAGH ATA (7546mt / 24757ft) 38.16ºN / 75.09ºE
Close to the ancient Silk Road and the only connection over the Karakorum and facing the Pamir Range, it is a popular 7000 with a reputation of being very accessible. It´s a very large mountain that looks like a volcano from the west side, but that´s a misleading view since the aerial view presents a very different shape. It´s isolated from any other mountains, which means that it really over imposes on the surroundings. Part of the mountain lies in the Kizulsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture and part in the Tashkurgan Tadjik A. Prefecture. It´s fully glaciated on all sides. The massif presents another peaks. The northern Kuksay (7184m/23569ft), the southern Kalaxong (7277m/23874ft), the southernmost Koslukak (7028m/23057ft), and the lesser Tokoruk and Kala Peaks.
Near is the mesmerizing blue Karakol Lake on the Subashi Valley where camels graze between Yurts. The Uighur name Muz Tagh means Ice Mountain and Ata means Father. This is the homeland of the ethnic group Uighur, though there is a concentration of Tadjiks close to the Pamir Range and the Karakorum. There are also large groups of Kirgizs and Badakhanians.
In sight, weather permitting, are the Kongur Massif seen even from the Base Camp. At high altitude and in pristine blue sky conditions you will be stunned with an horizon as far as you can see, with mountains on South (the Karakorum), West (the Pamir) and North and Northwest (the Kunlun Shan). Its eastern side is much more dry grassy hills, deserted, unpopulated (except for some nomadic settlements), with occasional high sand dunes.
A curious fact is that when weather is poor, clouds and fog are more attracted to the Kongur, leaving the Muztagh Ata with much better conditions, which is a good reference for climbing. When the weather is good with clear skies, you can expect to be flooded by strong sunlight because of the wide open areas around. Weather windows usually follow a pattern of five good weather days and five overcastted. Among other peaks within sight in this Xinjiang state (ancient Turkestan) are the Kongur (7719m/25324ft) and the Chakragil (6760m/22178ft) also known by the Uighur name of Karabekter Tagh or the Chinese name of Kingata Feng.
From the western approach there are 3 Glaciers facing us. The northernmost Kmatolja, the central Kartamak and the southernmost Kalaxong, with huge rock cliffs carved into the mountain. Among the 16 Glaciers running down Muztagh Ata is the 21km long Koksel. |
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EXPLORING A PLANET LIKE NO OTHER |
