SCOTTISH/AUSTRALIAN BROAD PEAK EXPEDITION, 1997.

Summary acl 26772

R ick Allen from Scotland and Andrew Lock from A ustralia attem pted the unclimbed
South Ridge o f B road P eak in July 1997. Climbing in alpine style but enjoying the
benefits o f some fixed rope left behind by an attem pt earlier in the same season they
reached a height o f 7150m. The ridge immediately above comprised steep ro c k on the
w estern flank and overhanging seracs on the eastern (Chinese) side. At this point, after
spending a day traversing beneath the W estern flank o f the ridge and probing it fo r a
w ay through, they retreated.
A fter th re e weeks o f exceptionally stable w eather some persistent snow show ers
m oved in and R ick returned home to work. Andrew remained behind at base camp
w ith the liaison officer and c ook for a further w eek and eventually succeeded in
making a solo ascent o f the mountain by the o rig in a l, W est flank, route.