Kichatna 2003

This strong team had two objectives in mind, but the weather broke while they descended from the first, putting down a metre of snow which would probably have taken a week to clear, so they had to be satisfied with one. However, in 30 hours' climbing they had already made the first ascent of the 1,200m Super Dupa Couloirto the summit of The Citadel (2597m) in the Kichatna Spires range of Alaska, simultaneously making the first British ascent of the peak. Of the 21 pitches, 17 were Scottish V or above, with many sections of VI, 6 and an overall Alpine grade ED3 VI. Descent was by lOOm abseils down the ascent route.