Region: Himalaya - India

Dr Roger McMorrow (with Connor Kane, Alan Manning, Mickey McCann & Angus Mitchell from UK, Sara Spencer from Ireland and Gustau Catalan from Spain). (May - June 2002)

The original objective of this team was to make the first ascent of Pk 6044m (NW of Badrinath) by 2 separate routes. However, on arrival in the area, it was discovered that the maps were unreliable, and that this was but an insipid peak in a long ridge forming the northern boundary wall of the Bhagirath Kharak Glacier. To gain the ridge it was necessary to scale Pk 6175, which they did by its SE Ridge at an overall grade D/TD. Their arrival at the summit heralded a serious break in the weather, making safe descent a greater priority than a traverse of the ridge, and after 26 hours on the go they eventually returned to their camp. When the weather improved, they carried out a comprehensive photographic survey of the area which should prove invaluable to future visitors. Utilising a mix of Irish and local words, they have proposed that Pk 6175 should be named 'Draiocht Paravat', or 'Magical Mountain'.