Region: Pakistan

Bruce Dowrick with Jonathan Seddon from NZ and Adrian Laing & Scott Standen from Australia (July-August 2009)

These experienced big wall climbers visited the Charakusa valley intending to attempt to free-climb a new route on the 1300m west wall of Nafee’s Cap, a sub-peak of K7. Although they did not actually reach the summit due to heavy icing and snow, they were successful in their aim, creating ‘Naughty Daddies’ a 19 pitch route up to grade 25 (7b), which they believe to be the hardest free technical rock route climbed at altitude by New Zealanders or Australians. A new 10-pitch line (6a) was also climbed on Nayser Brakk (5200m), a beautiful spire above their basecamp. With its excellent rock and little precipitation, the team feel that the Charakusa area still has a lot to offer.