Climbing CV

My travel high points

“I believe we so far forgot ourselves as to shake hands on it.”H.W. Tilman, on reaching the summit of Nanda Devi.

Well, OK, it’s not what some people would call a climbing CV, which is why I’ve also given it the subtitle my travel high points. You won’t find any difficult technical routes in the Alps on this list. That’s because I’m more of a walker than a climber, but I have an interest in high altitude mountaineering and from time to time I go up big mountains involving a modest amount of climbing. Mingled with the summits and high camps on this list you will find a few high passes on treks that I’ve been lucky enough to complete.

Here are my top high points in order of altitude.

 

1. Everest, Tibet | 19 May 2012 | 8848m (29029 ft)1. Everest, Tibet

19 May 2012

8,848m (29,029ft)

 

 

2. Manaslu, Nepal | 5 October 2011 | 8163m (26781 ft)2. Manaslu, Nepal

5 October 2011

8,163m (26,781ft)

 

 

3. Muztag Ata, China | 18 August 2007 | 7546m (24757 ft)3. Muztag Ata, China

18 August 2007

7,546m (24,757ft)

Photo: Juliet Edwards

 

4. Camp 2, Cho Oyu, Tibet | 21 September 2010 | 7150m (23458 ft)4. Camp 2, Cho Oyu, Tibet

21 September 2010

7,150m (23,458ft)

 

 

5. North Col, Everest, Tibet | 13 May 2007 | 7060m (23163 ft)5. North Col, Everest, Tibet

13 May 2007

7,060m (23,163ft)

 

 

6. North Summit, Lhakpa Ri, Tibet | 11 May 2007 | 7005m (22982 ft)6. North Summit, Lhakpa Ri, Tibet

11 May 2007

7,005m (22,982ft)

Photo: Jeremy ‘Bunter’ Anson

 

7. Aconcagua, Argentina | 31 December 2010 | 6959m (22831 ft)7. Aconcagua, Argentina

31 December 2010

6,959m (22,831ft)

 

 

8. Peak Lenin, Kyrgyzstan | 4 August 2015 | 6900m (22638 ft)8. Lower summit plateau, Peak Lenin, Kyrgyzstan

4 August 2015

6,900m (22,638ft)

 

 

9. Ojos del Salado, Chile | 3 January 2019 | 6893m (22615 ft)9. Ojos del Salado, Chile

3 January 2019

6,893m (22,615ft)

 

 

8. Mera North, Mera Peak, Nepal | 4 May 2009 | 6476m (21247 ft)10. Mera North, Mera Peak, Nepal

4 May 2009

6,476m (21,247ft)

 

 

9. Mera Central, Mera Peak, Nepal | 4 May 2009 | 6461m (21198 ft)11. Mera Central, Mera Peak, Nepal

4 May 2009

6,461m (21,198ft)

 

 

10. Mera Central, Mera Peak, Nepal | 31 October 2004 | 6461m (21198 ft)12. Mera Central, Mera Peak, Nepal

31 October 2004

6,461m (21,198ft)

Photo: Huw Davies

 

A pained expression on my face after being turned back at El Dedo, still 500m short of the summit13. El Dedo, Aconcagua, Argentina

1 January 2006

6,460m (21,194 ft)

 

 

Camp 2, Gasherbrum I, Pakistan14. Camp 2, Gasherbrum I, Pakistan

1 August 2009

6,440m (2,1129 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Cholatse last week, but can you spot anything funny about the photo?15. Cholatse, Nepal

4 November 2014

6,440m (21,129 ft)

 

 

Camp 2, Baruntse, Nepal16. Camp 2, Baruntse, Nepal

28 October 2010

6,425m (21,079 ft)

 

 

Camp 2, Gasherbrum II, Pakistan17. Camp 2, Gasherbrum II, Pakistan

12 July 2009

6,420m (21,063 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on the summit of Chimborazo, 27 September 201718. Chimborazo, Ecuador

27 September 2017

6,310m (20,702 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on the summit of Chimborazo (6310m)19. Chimborazo, Ecuador

4 January 2016

6,310m (20,702 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Dzo Jongo East (6,220m)20. Dzo Jongo East, Ladakh, India

8 September 2022

6,220m (20,407 ft)

 

 

Here I am on the summit of Island Peak with climbing guide Dawa Bhote. As you can see, 8516m Lhotse towering behind us makes 6189m Island Peak seem a bit piddling.21. Island Peak, Nepal

10 May 2009

6,189m (20,305 ft)

 

 

Edita, Santosh, Imran and me in a whiteout at 6,160m where we decided to turn around (Photo: Edita Horrell)22. East shoulder, Dzo Jongo West, Ladakh, India

10 September 2022

6,160m (20,210 ft)

Photo: Edita Horrell

 

Stok Kangri, India23. Stok Kangri, Ladakh, India

17 August 2005

6,114m (20,059 ft)

 

 

Cerro Vicuñas, Chile | 30 December 2018 | 6,067m (19,905ft)24. Cerro Vicuñas, Chile

30 December 2018

6,067m (19,905 ft)

 

 

Chulu Far East, Nepal25. Chulu Far East, Nepal

1 November 2008

6,058m (19,875 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on the summit of Drohmo Ri (5,958m) with Kangchenjunga behind26. Drohmo Ri, Nepal

10 April 2018

5,958m (19,547 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on the summit of Cotopaxi (5,897m)27. Cotopaxi, Ecuador

4 October 2019

5,897m (19,347 ft)

Photo: Estalin Suarez

 

Cotopaxi, Ecuador28. Cotopaxi, Ecuador

4 January 2010

5,897m (19,347 ft)

 

 

Mark Horrell and Edita Nichols on the summit of Kilimanjaro, 29 December 201629. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

29 December 2016

5,895m (19,341 ft)

 

 

I made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro, but how difficult was it? You will have to read the book to find out.30. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

17 October 2002

5,895m (19,341 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Cayambe (5790m)31. Cayambe, Ecuador

2 January 2016

5,790m (18,996 ft)

 

 

Antisana, Ecuador32. Antisana, Ecuador

30 December 2009

5,753m (18,875 ft)

 

 

Yangchan Kangri, India33. Yangchan Kangri, Ladakh, India

6 September 2007

5,710m (18,734 ft)

 

 

Camp 1, Pumori, Nepal34. Camp 1, Pumori, Nepal

23 April 2014

5,650m (18,537 ft)

 

 

West Peak, Elbrus, Russia35. West Peak, Elbrus, Russia

2 August 2012

5,642m (18,510 ft)

 

 

East Peak, Elbrus, Russia36. East Peak, Elbrus, Russia

2 August 2012

5,621m (18,442 ft)

 

 

Pico de Orizaba, Mexico37. Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

30 December 2008

5,611m (18,409 ft)

 

 

27. Ishinca, Peru 15 July 2014 5530m (18143 ft)38. Ishinca, Peru

15 July 2014

5,530m (18,143 ft)

 

 

Yala Peak, Nepal39. Yala Peak, Nepal

16 March 2017

5,530m (18,143 ft)

 

 

Santosh and me on the summit of Konmaru La Peak (5,480m)40. Konmarulatse, Ladakh, India

6 September 2022

5,480m (17,979 ft)

 

 

Urus Este, Peru41. Urus Este, Peru

12 July 2014

5,480m (17,979 ft)

 

 

Thorong La, Annapurna Circuit, Nepal42. Thorong La, Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

27 September 2006

5,416m (17,769 ft)

 

 

Ritacuba Blanco, Colombia43. Ritacuba Blanco, Colombia

29 December 2011

5,410m (17,749 ft)

 

 

Gokyo Ri, Nepal44. Gokyo Ri, Nepal

14 May 2009

5,360m (17,585 ft)

 

 

32. Rinchen Zoe La, Bhutan 4 October 2009 5326m (17474 ft)45. Rinchen Zoe La, Snowman Trek, Bhutan

4 October 2009

5,326m (17,474 ft)

 

 

Camp 4, Denali, United States46. Camp 4, Denali, United States

29 June 2013

5,250m (17,224 ft)

 

 

Iztaccihuatl, Mexico47. Iztaccihuatl, Mexico

26 December 2008

5,220m (17,126 ft)

 

 

Edita and me on the summit of Nevado del Tolima (5,215m)48. Nevado del Tolima, Colombia

31 December 2019

5,215m (17,110 ft)

 

 

Edita and me on the summit of Iliniza Norte (5126m)49. Iliniza Norte, Ecuador

30 December 2015

5,126m (16,818 ft)

Photo: Edita Nichols

 

Iliniza Norte, Ecuador50. Iliniza Norte, Ecuador

27 December 2009

5,126m (16,818 ft)

 

 

Mt Stanley, Uganda51. Mount Stanley, Uganda

25 December 2006

5,109m (16,762 ft)

 

 

Me at Punta Cuyoc (5030m), the highest point on the Huayhuash Circuit, during one of my very first high altitude treks in 2002. At the time it was the highest I had ever been.52. Punta Cuyoc, Huayhuash Circuit, Peru

16 July 2002

5,030m (16,503 ft)

 

 

Edita and me on the summit of Tungurahua, with Chimborazo on the horizon, and the secondary summit and crater below53. Tungurahua, Ecuador

1 October 2019

5,023m (16,480 ft)

 

 

Edita and me on the summit of Carihuairazo, 22 September 201754. Carihuairazo, Ecuador

22 September 2017

5,020m (16,470 ft)

 

 

Cerro Bonete, Argentina55. Cerro Bonete, Argentina

23 December 2005

5,005m (16,421 ft)

 

 

Pt Lenana, Mt Kenya, Kenya56. Pt Lenana, Mount Kenya, Kenya

9 October 2002

4,985m (16,355 ft)

 

 

Mt Speke, Uganda57. Mount Speke, Uganda

23 December 2006

4,890m (16,043 ft)

 

 

Mt Baker, Uganda58. Mount Baker, Uganda

27 December 2006

4,843m (15,889 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on the summit of Corazon (4790m)59. Corazón, Ecuador

28 December 2015

4,790m (15,715 ft)

 

 

Edita and me on the summit of Paramillo Del Quindio (4,715m)60. Central Summit, Paramillo del Quindio, Colombia

29 December 2019

4,715 (15,469 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Rucu Pichincha, 9 September 201761. Rucu Pichincha, Ecuador

9 September 2017

4,698 (15,413 ft)

 

 

Rucu Pichincha, Ecuador62. Rucu Pichincha, Ecuador

23 December 2009

4,698m (15,413 ft)

 

 

Nevado de Toluca, Mexico63. Nevado de Toluca, Mexico

23 December 2008

4,691m (15,390 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on Imbabura's summit (4,640m)64. Imbabura, Ecuador

23 September 2019

4,640m (15,223 ft)

 

 

Ruminahui Central, Ecuador65. Rumiñahui Central, Ecuador

24 December 2009

4,634m (15,203 ft)

 

 

Laurebinayak La, Nepal66. Laurebinayak La, Nepal

7 June 2007

4,610m (15,125 ft)

 

 

Mark Horrell and Edita Nichols on the summit of Mount Meru, 24 December 201667. Mount Meru, Tanzania

24 December 2016

4,566m (14,980 ft)

 

 

Ras Dashen, Ethiopia68. Ras Dashen, Ethiopia

30 December 2004

4,533m (14,872 ft)

 

 

Bwahit, Ethiopia69. Bwahit, Ethiopia

29 December 2004

4,430m (14,534 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Fuya Fuya (4,258m)70. Fuya Fuya, Ecuador

22 September 2019

4,258m (13,970 ft)

 

 

Volcan Tajumulco in Guatemala was as memorable a summit as any71. Volcán Tajumulco, Guatemala

2 January 2013

4,220m (13,845 ft)

 

 

Me and Edita on the summit of Pasochoa Norte (4185m)72. Pasochoa Norte, Ecuador

27 December 2015

4,185m (13,730 ft)

Photo: Edita Nichols

 

Edita and me on the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4167m)73. Jebel Toubkal, Morocco

27 December 2017

4,167m (13,671 ft)

 

 

Me, Ernie and Omar on the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4167m), the highest mountain in Morocco74. Jebel Toubkal, Morocco

24 December 2014

4,167m (13,671 ft)

 

 

I first climbed Jebel Toubkal in July 2003. This time of year the summit will be snow-capped.75. Jebel Toubkal, Morocco

31 July 2003

4,167m (13,671 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Timesguida n-Ouanoukrim (4089m)76. Timesguida n-Ouanoukrim, Morocco

28 December 2017

4,089m (13,415 ft)

 

 

Ouanoukrim, Morocco77. Timesguida n-Ouanoukrim, Morocco

25 December 2014

4,089m (13,415 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Ras n-Ouanoukrim (4083m)78. Ras n-Ouanoukrim, Morocco

28 December 2017

4,083m (13,396 ft)

 

 

My Moroccan guide Omar was a shining example of religious tolerance, as are all people working in tourism in Morocco79. Ras n-Ouanoukrim, Morocco

25 December 2014

4,083m (13,396 ft)

 

 

Gran Paradiso, Italy80. Gran Paradiso, Italy

16 August 2003

4,061m (13,323 ft)

 

 

Me on the summit of Akioud (4030m), with Afella behind81. Akioud, Morocco

29 December 2017

4,030m (13,222 ft)

 

 

Toubkal West, Morocco (4030m)82. Toubkal West, Morocco

24 December 2014

4,030m (13,222 ft)