Thomas Huber, Jon Griffin, and Tad McCrea are back in Pakistan for another summer climb in the impressive Latok massif. This time, they have set their sights on Latok III.
The team started the approach trek to the Choktoi Glacier yesterday, outfitter Shipton Treks & Tours said.
The Latoks, the Ogres, and the Biacherahi towers, from Choktoi Glacier. Photo: Anton Karnoup
Favorite playground
For Thomas Huber of Germany, the Karakoram’s Choktoi Glacier and the ragged spires surrounding it are special. Here, he has achieved some of his most spectacular ascents: Latok IV (6,459m) with his brother Alex in 1999, and Latok II (7,108m) in 1997 with Conrad Anker and Toni Gutsch. Huber also climbed the neighboring Ogre and Ogre III in 2001.
Choktoi is also home to a major unfinished project: linking the north face and north ridge to the summit of Latok I, a line that has never been completely climbed. Huber has attempted it several times, including last year with McCrea and Griffin.
Huber, Griffin, and McCrea. Photo: Thomas Huber
This time, Huber is back with the same partners, but a different goal: the unsummitted southeast pillar of Latok III (6,949m).
The team was awarded a cutting-edge grant to attempt the climb.
