Region: China and Tibet

David Gerrard with Dr Dave Sykes (April-May 2007)

These climbers – aided by Zheng Lin (‘Lenny’) Chen, a well known local ‘travel consultant’ who proved to be an excellent companion - visited the Zhopu Pasture Area in Tibet’s Shaluli-Shan Range with the intention of exploring and attempting a number of first ascents. They were successful on Hati (aka Hadi or Nazdenka, 5584m) via a gully line on its West face (AD, Scottish III, pitch of rock UIAA III). They also carried out a reconnaissance of the 5812m highest peak in the area which Chen insisted was called Garapinsung and not Jarinjabo as marked on Nakamura’s map. A period of bad weather in the area then encouraged them to relocate to Tagong, from where they made an attempt on the South face of Haizi Shan (aka Ja Ra or Yala, 5820m), but after establishing a camp at 4800m they retreated due to a storm with high temperatures which caused a high risk of avalanche.