British alpinists Will Harris, Ben Silvestre and Pete Graham have completed what is thought to be the first British ascent of Infinite Spur on Alaska’s second-highest peak, Mt Foraker.
The ridge, which soars almost 9,000 feel up the south face of Foraker, has only been climbed a handful of times, with the first ascent by Michael kennedy and George Lowe having taken six days back in 1977. It is considered one of the great alpine test-pieces in the Alaska Range of mountains.
One of the successful trio (and Trek & Mountain contributor) Will Harris posted the following update on his Facebook page: “Back in civilisation enjoying biscuits and gravy with extra sides of potatoes and eggs in the Roadhouse after a great trip in the Central Alaska range. After getting shut down by poor conditions on the Thunder glacier we climbed the Infinite Spur on Mount Foraker, which lived up to everything that we hoped it would be. On the final summit ridge the intensity of the experience and the raw Alaskan beauty was enough to reduce (three) grown men to tears, not something I’ll forget any time soon.”
You can read more in the next edition of Trek & Mountain, but in the meantime many congratulations to Will, Ben and Pete on an outstanding effort!