Scottish Wakhan

Much of Afghanistan is ravaged by war, but the eastern end of the Wakhan Corridor (‘Little Pamir’) is not affected so is relatively safe, and although it is understood that a Polish climber recently carried out a reconnaissance, it is little visited, so was the chosen destination for this pair to explore and make first ascents. Following consultation with Mountain Unity International which has set up facilities for trekkers and climbers visiting the area, they concentrated on the Pamir-i-Wakhan Range to the west of the Waghjir Valley. Unfortunately they were affected by the heavy monsoon rains that struck the Pakistan area so badly this year, but nevertheless climbed several easy walking peaks up to 5000m, and also Koh I Iskander (5562m) a more serious peak with a pitch of Scottish III. They left the area via the 4895m Garumdee pass (aka Uween e Sar), with a detour to climb a peak of 5327m, which they named Koh I Khar (Peak of the Donkey). Both peaks are thought to have been previously unclimbed.