TOM MAKES HISTORY IN HIMALAYAS
AWELSH mountaineer has made climbing history by being the first in the world to conquer an unforgiving Himalayan peak via a treacherous route.
Tom Livingstone, who works as an outdoor instructor, climbed the notorious Latok 1 via the north ridge for the first time in history alongside climbing partners Aleš Cesen and Luka Strazar, from Slovenia.
Despite never setting foot in the Himalayas before, the former Bangor University student completed the gruelling task where many others have previously failed.
Just last month, a Russian climber was rescued in a daring military operation after becoming trapped on the peak for days.
His climbing partner had already fallen to his death.
Mr Livingstone, who lives in Llanberis, climbed up the north ridge with his partners, but then took a deviation west as they approached the top of the 7,145m mountain.
Although not climbing directly up the northern ridge, it is the first time their specific route has been completed, Mr Livingstone said.
Speaking after returning from their week-long adventure, he said: “We’re mega-psyched, all safe and back after seven days on the mountain.
“We acclimatised on two trips up to 6,300m. It was a great experience.
“We camped on chopped-out snow ledges.”
Mr Livingstone was set to return from Pakistan over the weekend.
The 27-year-old’s previous achievements include making the first winter ascent of the 2,400m Slesse Mountain in British Columbia via the difficult Navigator Wall.
He also became the youngest Briton to scale the Cassin Ridge on Denali, Alaska – the highest mountain peak in North America.
The British Mountaineering Council, which provided a grant for Mr Livingstone to carry out the challenge, said: “The summit of Latok 1 had only previously been reached once by a Japanese team climbing from the south side in 1979.
“Whatever the exact line, this is a major achievement and we look forward to hearing all the details.”
The closest anybody has got to the top of Latok 1 via the north ridge was a group of American alpinists in 1978 who climbed to around 7,000m.
They spent 21 days on the ridge before having to turn back.