Walsall/Bolivia '97

In recent years the Cordillera Apolobamba in Northern Bolivia has not been very popular with British climbers. 1997 saw a change, and this was one of five MEF-supported expeditions that headed for the area. With the advantage of Brain's experience (he works as a Guide in the area), this team planned to climb new routes and make first British ascents in the Katantica group. Unfortunately, the leader was unable to climb owing to sickness, but the rest of the team repeated routes on Pt 5550 and Katantica Oeste, 5,630m. They also made the first British ascents of Katantica Central, 5,610m (by a new route on the W Ridge), Katantica Este, 5,592m, Pt 5560m (AD, the N Face) and Katantica Sur, 5,300m. Moving over to the Cordillera Real they found and buried the remains of a Spanish climber who had been missing for three years, but gave up plans to by a new route on Illimani, 6,462m, owing to the onset of gale force winds.