Meru Sharksfin

The Shark's Fin on the E Face of Meru Central, 6,500m, is approached by a 1,000m snow slope, following which there is a diagonal ramp/buttress, another snowpatch and then the fin itself. These transitions of terrain, and the different equipment and techniques required for each, explain why the route has so far resisted all comers. To add to these problems, the present team experienced almost continual snowfall. After a number of pitches up to grade 5 and A2, one team member sustained a leg injury in a pendulum fall. The attempt was therefore abandoned at 6,000m - still below the Fin itself, but considerably higher than any previous attempt had reached.