Nanga Parbat, Mazeno Ridge, 2012

The Mazeno ridge of Nanga Parbat separates the Diamir (west) from the Rupal (southeast) faces of the mountain. It is 9km long, includes seven 7000m peaks and repelled all attempts until this year.

The team established camps to ferry loads to the start of the ridge, and then continued in alpine style. Cathy O’Dowd, Lhakpa Rangdu Sherpa, Lahkpa Nuru Sherpa, Lahkpa Nuru Sherpa and Lakpa (Zarok) Sherpa descended exhausted from the upper part of the route, above the Mazeno Gap. No one had previously got so high on the ridge. Sandy Allan and Rick Allen continued, avoiding the direct finish to the ridge and instead joining the Diamir face route. They reached the summit on 15 July.