British Latok II Karakoram Expedition 1978

This expedition comprised several members of the 1977 team that had attempted to climb the west ridge of Latok II (7108m) and the expedition's aim was to return to the mountain and complete this route. In the late summer of 1977, a team from Bologna, Italy made the first ascent of Latok II, climbing via the mountain's south ridge. Despite the mountain now having been climbed, the Pakistani authorities were unwilling to let the 1978 expedition switch objectives and so they remained set upon the first ascent of the west ridge. The expedition was struck by tragedy early on when Fearnehough, who had stayed behind on the walk-in due to illness, was killed by a landslide five miles east of Chokpoing. Green returned to the UK to make the necessary arrangements and carry condolences to Fearnehough's family. The rest of the team continued on, establishing base camp at the junction of the Uzzunn Blakk and Latok Glaciers. The party, reduced to Thexton, Wilkinson and Nunn, Sheard having left due to professional obligations, pushed a series of camps as high as the final summit pyramid but had their final attempt thwarted by poor weather which left them tentbound at camp IV for more than three days. They retreated without reaching the summit.