Rupshu

Although refused access to this area of Ladakh in previous years, persistence paid off, and this time a permit was forthcoming. They hoped to make first ascents of Chakura, 6,529m, and/or Pologongka, 6,632m, both 'roadside' mountains well away from the Tibetan border. Climbing at Alpine grade AD they reached 6,000m on the former before snow conditions became too soft and tiring to progress further. They had more success on Pologongka, reaching the summit in ideal conditions at F on mixed rock and snow.