Northeast climbers win Piolet d’Or!

Piolets d’Or 2012

The 2012 recipients are:  Mark Richey, Steve Swenson and Freddie Wilkinson (USA) for their ascent of Saser Kangri II (7,518m), India.

The first ascent by experienced U.S. climbers, Freddie Wilkinson, Mark Richey, and Steve Swenson of 7518 meter Saser Kangri II in India garnered the trio a 2012 Piolet d’Or Award.

The summit is the second highest previously unclimbed mountain in the world. Their climb, “The Old Breed”, WI4 M3, 1700m, is a great example of committing lightweight alpine-style climbing at high altitude. They gained the summit by ascending the steep 1,700 metre south-west face over four days of climbing, utilizing three bivouacs. According to Alpinist magazine, “Their climb is one of the highest first ascents of a peak in alpine style in the history of mountaineering.”

The trio used special lightweight ice hammocks designed by Richey to create flat bivi sites on the route.

Way to go guys!!!!

for more about their ascent: http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web11x/n…d-highest-peak

Also see: https://www.facebook.com/thepioletsdor  / http://www.pioletsdor.com/

~rockytop

Photo / Source: https://www.facebook.com/thepioletsdor