Japanese Complete Coveted North Face of Kalanka

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

News Link: Japanese climbers Kazuaki Amano, Fumitaka Ichimura, and Yusuke Sato have climbed the north face of Kalanka (6,931 meters/22,740 feet) in India’s Garhwal Himalaya. The face’s central spur had seen several strong attempts, including three by teams with American climbers. This month, the Japanese trio’s alpine-style ascent of the 6,000-foot route won the Asian Piolet d’Or. See Lindsay Griffin’s report at the BMC websitefor more details and a photo of the face.

Comment on this story

Film: How Matt Cornell Free Soloed One of America’s Classic Hard Mixed Routes

"The Nutcracker" explores the mental challenges of solo climbing and the tactics Cornell used to help him send the route.