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Virgin Conquests: First ascents in Ladakh
Fighting fit and fully acclimatised after a successful ascent of Muztag Ata in western China, Mark Horrell made a return to Ladakh in Northern India, where he had climbed a trekking peak called Stok Kangri two years earlier.
After a few days' rest in the relaxing town of Leh, near the banks of the Indus and surrounded by mountains, with a new group of companions he set off across the Khardung La, reputedly the highest motorable road in the world, and spent two weeks trekking in a remote valley near the Pakistani border.
His objective was to explore the valley, where dozens of 5000 and 6000 metre mountains remain unclimbed, and maybe get to the top of some of them. Ladakh is a dry desert region on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, where there's hardly ever any precipitation; so, of course, it snowed for days, and then snowed some more. But would it snow enough to stop him mounting a few virgin peaks?
Virgin Conquests is Mark Horrell's travel diary from his trip, and will appeal to any fan of exploratory treks and expeditions, and anyone with a love of this high desert region in Northern India or mountains in general. The book is illustrated with many of the author's photographs.
After a few days' rest in the relaxing town of Leh, near the banks of the Indus and surrounded by mountains, with a new group of companions he set off across the Khardung La, reputedly the highest motorable road in the world, and spent two weeks trekking in a remote valley near the Pakistani border.
His objective was to explore the valley, where dozens of 5000 and 6000 metre mountains remain unclimbed, and maybe get to the top of some of them. Ladakh is a dry desert region on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, where there's hardly ever any precipitation; so, of course, it snowed for days, and then snowed some more. But would it snow enough to stop him mounting a few virgin peaks?
Virgin Conquests is Mark Horrell's travel diary from his trip, and will appeal to any fan of exploratory treks and expeditions, and anyone with a love of this high desert region in Northern India or mountains in general. The book is illustrated with many of the author's photographs.
Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2011
9 people want to read
About the author
Mark Horrell
26 books39 followersFor many years Mark Horrell has been writing what has been described as one of the most credible Everest opinion blogs out there. He writes about trekking and mountaineering from the often silent perspective of the commercial client.
For nearly 20 years he has been exploring the world’s greater mountain ranges and keeping a diary of his travels. As a writer he strives to do for mountain history what Bill Bryson did for long-distance hiking.
Several of his expedition diaries are available from the major online bookstores. He has published two full-length books: Seven Steps from Snowdon to Everest (2015), about his ten-year journey from hill walker to Everest climber, and Feet and Wheels to Chimborazo (2019), about an expedition to cycle and climb from sea level to the furthest point from the centre of the earth.
His favourite mountaineering book is The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman.
For nearly 20 years he has been exploring the world’s greater mountain ranges and keeping a diary of his travels. As a writer he strives to do for mountain history what Bill Bryson did for long-distance hiking.
Several of his expedition diaries are available from the major online bookstores. He has published two full-length books: Seven Steps from Snowdon to Everest (2015), about his ten-year journey from hill walker to Everest climber, and Feet and Wheels to Chimborazo (2019), about an expedition to cycle and climb from sea level to the furthest point from the centre of the earth.
His favourite mountaineering book is The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman.
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October 23, 2015
Mark as usual, manages to offend half the team on day one by talking about Danish cycling cheats to the Danish trekker and shocking tour guide Bonnie by having little interest in rock climbing. I like Mark's dry sense of humour and inappropriate comments, which make these diaries fun to read. I think his company on these treks would be fun and he also loves cricket, like me!
There are things to deal with on the trip which get his back up-like reluctant climbers who now think it might be too hard, and Mark fights attempts by the tour guide to change the plans. I wouldn't find that acceptable either. If I took time off work and paid good money to go on a trek that climbed certain peaks, that is what I expect to get unless there has been a natural disaster or weather intervenes. But having members of the team moaning about wanting to do something easier would have hacked me off. You signed up for this, now suck it up or go home! Add to that the adventures of The Phantom Shitter and this is a very interesting and funny read.
There are things to deal with on the trip which get his back up-like reluctant climbers who now think it might be too hard, and Mark fights attempts by the tour guide to change the plans. I wouldn't find that acceptable either. If I took time off work and paid good money to go on a trek that climbed certain peaks, that is what I expect to get unless there has been a natural disaster or weather intervenes. But having members of the team moaning about wanting to do something easier would have hacked me off. You signed up for this, now suck it up or go home! Add to that the adventures of The Phantom Shitter and this is a very interesting and funny read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review