Saser Kangri II (7,518m), southwest face. Americans Mark Richey

Saser Kangri II (7,518m), southwest face. A m ericans M ark Richey, Steve Swenson, and Freddie W ilkinson made the first ascent o f the w orld’s second highest unclim bed independent m ountain (attem pts on the highest, G angkar Puensum in Bhutan, are banned). Saser Kangri II is also the second highest peak to receive its first ascent in true alpine style. The three climbed the southwest face by a route nam ed The Old Breed (1,700m, W I4 M3), with the crux close to 7,000m. The ascent was awarded a 2012 Piolet d ’Or, and an account of this and their other climbs in the area appears earlier in the Journal.