KE Adventure

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Mustagh Ata Expedition

Trekking and Climbing Expedition to Mustagh Ata

Climbing in the Mountains of the Middle Kingdom
Mustagh Ata one of the 50 highest peaks on Earth
Unique oportunity to climb as part of a joint English/French expedition
Expedition led by UIAGM Guide
`Explore More` - the finest adventure holidays on the planet

Named 'Father of Ice Mountains', by the 13th century explorer, Marco Polo, Mustagh Ata (7546m) sits in an isolated location on the western edge of China's Xinjiang Province, overlooking the Taklamakan Desert. It is a big mountain (rising 4000 metres above beautiful Karakul Lake) and was first climbed by a Russian/Chinese team in 1956. Suitable for experienced climbers, this expedition offers the chance to scale a very high mountain by a relatively straightforward route. Run in conjunction with our French counterparts, Allibert Trekking, the expedition will be led by a UIAGM Guide. Our route of access to the mountain is through Bishkek and will involve a fascinating overland journey across the Torugart Pass and by way of Kashgar. Not just a mountaineering expedition, but also an epic journey into Central Asia, this is the perfect climbing holiday for those who wish to test themselves at altitude.

This trip is one of our ‘Explore More' range of outstanding adventure holidays which we are running in conjunction with our friends at Allibert and Hauser (France and Germany's leading adventure travel operators). The trips we have chosen for this range are undoubtedly some of the finest adventures on the planet. They are also ‘specialist' and will appeal to those who have ‘been there, done that' in many parts of the world and are now looking for something new. The cosmopolitan nature of the groups will be an important part of the Explore More experience!

Trip Guide

This climbing holiday is an expedition to a very high mountain and as such is quite different in style to our other climbing trips to Himalayan or Andean 6000 metre peaks. The group will have a full support crew up to and while staying in base camp. Above base camp the expedition members will be self sufficient. Directed by the guides, all members will take part in load carrying to establish two or possibly three camps above base camp, and everyone will contribute to the various expedition chores (preparing the route with flags and fixed lines, cooking, washing-up, rubbish disposal etc.). The route we use to climb Mustagh Ata is not technical. There is a relatively steep (45º+) section of snow or ice between camps I and II which will be protected by fixed lines. Thereafter the slopes are below 30º and the difficulties are those of glaciated terrain and high altitude. Climbing at these altitudes is extremely tiring and you will need to be in excellent physical condition. This climbing holiday is given our highest grade of STRENUOUS.