Here's the latest update from Plum TV host Ben Clark, who is in the Himalayas and plans to summit and ski down Annapurna IV.
"Annapurna IV is a striking peak cutting the cobalt sky and breaking the
jet stream. A long technical shoulder leads to it's lofty summit, this
will be our path. We now sit below this shoulder at 15,500'. Distant
echoes of glaciers calving are now drowned out by thunder. Thunder.
The ascent from the 2000' in the jungle to this wet and snowy bench has
been eventful and adventurous. The last section of the six-day approach
was seemingly endless as we led our porters and wound our way up one
last long spine to the base of the route. It was a 6500' day. The
porters stayed for lunch and we shared our jackets and laughter. They
have been good to us and we abliged them with healthy tips.
Tim and Josh are feeling good and we all share sentiments of wonder and
excitement. Staring at the mountain before the afternoon storm moved
in, we plotted our line from every vantage. It is a beautiful line and
from here, we can solve many of it's difficulties. It also looks
very,very skiable!
We will upload some photos to the website and share a few more stories
over the next few days as we acclimitize here in camp. Right now, the
weather has turned and it is snowing heavily so we will wait for the
mountain to be ready or begin climbing in three days, whichever is most
prudent. Storms in this range can be very dangerous, not only because
of avalanche hazards but also thunder and lightning, a treat unique to
the Western Himalaya."
For more information on Ben Clark's team and route, visit www.annapurnaiv.com.
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