Adam Thomas (with Phil Amos & Simon Woods from UK and Jock Jeffery from NZ) (June-August 2000)

Following a self-funded expedition in 1999, this team made a successful application to the MEF for this trip, which planned to explore the Ochiri (Chonuk) and Matkesh valleys, SE of the Hindu Kush range, approaching from Chitral. Despite weather described as 'poor but never terrible' and Customs confiscating part of their food shipment because it contained pork, they made the first ascent of a 5995m peak by its SW Face at an alpine grade of D-/D. They named the peak Uddin Zom, Uddin being the family name of a local goat-herder who they befriended, and who provided much assistance and hospitality whilst they were in the area..
Following the ascent of Uddin Zom, Woods & Jeffery joined another international expedition (not MEF-supported) which made the first ascents of Khan Sar, 5708m, and Sahan Sar, c.5500m from the Ishkoman Valley on the other side of the Hindu Raj.