Region: Central Asia & The Far East

Simon Spencer-Jones with Ed Bailey, James Byrne, Ian Hatcher, Rob Lavin, Amy Marshall, Stevo Nicholls and Sam Smith (June-July 2005)

This team of past and present students of Bristol University with varied experience planned to explore the southern end of the 70-80km long Fedchenko Glacier in the High Pamirs. Climbing in groups of 2 to 4, they soon made first ascents or new routes on Peak Volodiya (5847m), Peak Bronwen (5550m) and Tanymas (5900m). The most experienced pair, Hatcher & Spencer-Jones, then set off to attempt the expedition's principal objective - a multi-day traverse of Peak Bakinshikh Kommisarov (6834m) and Peak Revolution 6948m). Unfortunately, the weather rapidly deteriorated, with strong winds and heavy snow, and the pair were never seen again, despite a number of air and land searches. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to their families and friends.