Draiocht Paravat 2002 Garhwal Virgin Summit

The original objective of this team was to make the first ascent of Pk 6044 (NW of Badrinath) by two separate routes. However, on arrival in the area, it was discovered that the maps were unreliable, and that this was but an insipid peak in a long ridge forming the northern boundary wall of the Bhagirath Kharak Glacier. To gain the ridge it was necessary to scale Pk6175, which they did by its SE Ridge at an overall grade of D/TD. Their arrival at the summit heralded a serious break in the weather, making safe descent a greater priority than a traverse of the ridge, and after 26 hours they eventually returned to their camp. When the weather improved, they carried out a comprehensive photographic survey of the area, which should prove invaluable to future visitors. Utilising a mix of Irish and local words, they have proposed that Pk6175 should be named 'Draiocht Paravat', or 'Magical Mountain'.