Region: China & Tibet

Sean Waters with Ms Jo Kippax (September-November 2005)

Although a permit for a similar expedition was issued in 2004 it was withdrawn at a late stage. This year they were luckier, and although hampered by heavy rain, the team was able to access the Lawa Valley in the Nyainqentanglha East region of Tibet, where the precipitation continued in the form of snow, which made all progress difficult - impossible without snowshoes. After 12 days of effort, they established a camp on the névé below the southern aspect of Birutaso (c.6550m). From here a full day's climbing took them 900m up steep snow/ice couloirs followed by snow arêtes and ramps to the summit, but necessitated an unplanned bivouac before descending next day.