Thomas Huber, along with fellow German Rainer Treppte, Italian Simon Gietl and French camerman Yannick Boisennot have abandoned plans to climb the North Face of Latok I (7,145 meters).
The international team had flown out to the Karakorum at the end of August in the hopes that the post-monsoon season would bring favourable conditions.
To acclimatise the quartet climbed nearby Panmah Kangri (6,406 meters) and then set their sights on Latok III as a warm-up to the main event. Speaking to blogger Stefan Nestler, Huber said initial forays onto Latok III started well: “We climbed up to Camp 1 at 5,700 meters and then down again. We calculated three days if everything went well and the conditions were good”.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/www.explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24010047/Huber_Gietl_Treppte_Boissen.jpg)
Thomas Huber, Simon Gietl, Rainer Treppte and Yannick Boissenot (Right to Left). Photo: Thomas Huber
However good conditions were short lived as the weather changed keeping the summit under cloud for three weeks. When the weather finally cleared they were halted at Camp I due to heavy snowfall.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/www.explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24010047/Panmah-Kangri.jpg)
Panmah Kangri (6,406 meters). Photo: Thomas Huber
When the team headed over to have a look at the North Face of Latok I they found the wall plastered in snow and spindrift avalanches, and in a state they considered unclimbeable. At this point they called off any plans of getting on the wall. Huber said: “The North Face seems invincible. If you go there, you have to say ‚Good-bye life‘ – and then touch and go!”.
It’s been a busy year on Latok I. A South Korean team were avalanched off the North Face, a Russian team met with tragedy, and Tom Livingstone and co. sumitted via the North side.
Links
Latok I: In Conversation with Tom Livingstone
Breaking News: North Side of Latok I Finally Climbed
Updated: Gukov Rescued From Latok I
Gukov Trapped on Latok I After the Death of his Partner
South Koreans Survive Avalanche on Latok One