Region: Central Asia and The Far East

Steve Wright (with Mike Sharp, Joost van der Valk and Dave Wynne-Jones). April-May 2003
Plans to make a ski traverse of the entire Ak Shiirak Range of mountains (in the Kyrgyz Republic) were thwarted to some extent when it was found that the intended access route to the Kara Su valley (over the Suek Pass) was blocked by heavy snow and avalanches. Undeterred, in double-carries the team ferried all the expedition supplies over the Ak-Bel Pass instead, adding 40 km to the start of the expedition, and using up valuable time in the process. In the time remaining they were only able to penetrate the range as far as the Kara Su glacier, but from here they were able to assess the rest of their intended route. They also confirmed the potential of the range for ski mountaineering, and made first ski ascents of a number of significant peaks up to 4600 metres. They also certainly achieved one of their defined aims: 'To have a good time'!