British mountaineer Mick Fowler has achieved another major first ascent in the Himalaya. Alongside regular climbing partner Paul Ramsden, Fowler reached the summit of Gave Ding, a 6,400m peak in far west Nepal, on Thursday 22 October. In an expedition supported by Berghaus, they climbed the mountain by a route on the north face in a six day push, and then descended to base camp over two days, via the west ridge and north flank.
Gave Ding is located in one of the remotest regions of Nepal, in a valley that had never previously been visited by westerners. Mick Fowler spotted the mountain during an earlier expedition in the area and started planning his 2015 trip. Once they had secured the necessary permits, Fowler and Ramsden left the UK at the end of September. They were supported during the climb by Steve Burns and Ian Cartwright.
After returning to regional administrative capital Simikot, Fowler today reported that he and Ramsden had made the first ascent of Gave Ding, in a brief message sent to Berghaus. He stated that this was one of the best trips that they had ever experienced, adding: “My happiness bubble is close to bursting.”
Mick Fowler and his team are due to be back in the UK early next week, and more details and images from the expedition will be available soon after. During their expedition, Fowler and Ramsden tested product developments that will feature in the all new Berghaus Extrem range for autumn/winter 2016, due to be launched to the trade in the near future. A blog written by Mick Fowler in September, anticipating the trip ahead, can be found here.