Russian Duo Climbs Stunning High-Altitude Pillar

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The south side of Point 6,134m in the Minka Konka area of Sichuan, China. The red line marks the route climbed by Mikhail Mikhailov and Alexander Ruchkin; green line marks their descent. Photo courtesy of Mountain.ru.

News Link: Mikhail Mikhailov and Alexander Ruchkin completed the first ascent of a 6,134-meter peak in Sichuan, China, by a superb, 1,000-meter rock pillar. After continuous storms kept the two Russians off their planned route on the southeast face of 6,618-meter E. Gongga, they switched to the lower and steeper rock climb on Point 6,134m to the northwest.

See the BMC website for more details on this climb as well as an attempt by American Mark Jenkins on Nyambo Konka (6,144m).

Date of Ascent: May 2009

Sources: Thebmc.co.uk, Anna Piunova, Mountain.ru

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Climbing on the south pillar of Point 6,134m. Photo courtesy of Mountain.ru.