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Kamet 2005

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In the history of high altitude mountaineering, Kamet has a prominent position: In 1855, the area was explored by the Schlagintweit brothers, and already in 1913 Meade's Col (7138 m) between Kamet and Abi Gamin was reached. In 1920, Dr. Alexander Kellas (who died in Tibet during the approach march of the first major British Mount Everest reconnaissance) got to Meade Col during his Kamet attempt. It took until 1931 when the first climb was achieved by a British expedition led by Frank Smythe. For five years, Kamet was the highest mountain climbed by men, until the summit of Nanda Devi (7816 m) was reached by a British-American expedition. There is not much information about expeditions in the years after the first climb. Since 1962 the area was closed for foreigners becase it is located very close to the Tibetan border. In the last 40 years the mountain was climbed almost exclusively by Indian military expeditions; no detailed reports were published.

Climbing history of Kamet

1848

First determination of heights and positions of the four main peaks of the Kamet group (Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mukut Parbat, Mana) by Richard Strachey [3].

1855

Robert and Adolphe Schlagintweit reach the Kamet group from north (Tibet). The report to have reached 6700 m at Kamet. They, however, mistook Abi Gamin (which is north of Kamet) for Kamet. To reach Kamet from Tibet, one has to go over the summit of Abi Gamin [3].

1877

An altitude of 6718 m was reached on the west side of Abi Gamin (or at Mukut Parbat, which was called Abi Gamin West at that time - therefore there is often confusion) during survey work by Pocock [1].

1907

Reconnaissance by T.G. Longstaff, C.G. Bruce, A.L. Mumm, Alexis and Henri Brocherel from Raikana Glacier via East Kamet Glacier (i.e., from the east). They consider the narrow passage in the middle part of East Kamet Glacier as too dangerous and try to avoid it using snow fields and ridges towards the north. But there no practicable access to Kamet was found - the eastern side of the mountain seems to offer no way to the summit. They try to reach the mountain from the west but, due to bad weather, they don't get very far [1].

1910

Due to bad weather, C.F. Meade with the guides Alexis Brocherel and Pierre Blanc only reach Khaiam Pass, 5880 m, on the western side. [1]

1911

A. Morris Slingsby and H. de Crespigny attempt the western side of Kamet group. They reach the pass between Abi Gamin West and Abi Gamin East (Slingsby's Col, ca. 6700 m), but deep snow forces them to turn back on the way to Abi Gamin East. [1]

1912

C.F. Meade comes back with Pierre Blanc, Franz Lochmatter, Justin Blanc and Jean Perrin. They reach more than 7000 m at Abi Gamin; bad weather and mountain sickness force them to retreat. They notice that Abi Gamin (East) is not a small shoulder on Kamet north ridge but an independent mountain. The necessary crossing of this summit from the west on the way to Kamet would be a very big effort.[1]

1913

C.F. Meade and Pierre Blanc are on the eastern side now. The narrow turns out to be well accessible, the main difficulties are found in a combined slope at about 6400 m. Camp 4 is established at 6700 m; they reach the wide and easy saddle between Kamet and Abi Gamin East (which is known as Meade's Col since then, 7138 m), but cannot pitch a tent there because they are too exhausted and not well acclimatized to continue, and because the snow is too bad. [1]

1913

Second attempt by Slingsby on the same route, this time forced to return by a snowstorm at above 7000 m before the summit of Abi Gamin East. [1]

1920

A.M. Kellas and H.T. Morshead reach - three weeks after arrival in base camp - den Meade's Col and continue up to 7200 m on the summit ridge. Since their porters refuse to go on or pitch a tent at Meade's Col, neither Kamet nor Abi Gamin could be climbed. [1]

1931

• 6.6.: After 2 1/2 weeks approach march from Ranikhet, the base camp is installed (4795 m).
• 8.6.: Camp 1 (5030 m)
• 10.6.: Camp 2 (5633 m) beyond the narrow section of the glacier, at the beginning of the couloir
• 12.6.: Camp 3 (6300 m) in the plateau above the couloir
• 14.-16.6.: Three attempts to climb the combined wall
• 18.6.: Camp 4 (6700 m) in a level area above the wall
• 19.6.: Rest day in in camp 4
• 20.6.: Continued to camp 5 (7040 m) below Meade's Col
• 21.6.: Summit bid, 8 1/2 hours from camp 5 to the summit
• 23.6.: Second group on the summit
• 24.6.: Descent C5 to C3
• 25.6.: Descent from C3 to base camp
• 30.6.-2.7.: Way back to Gamsali
• 5.7.-12.7.: Crossing Bhyundar Kanta to Vallay of Flowers and descent to Mana
• 15.7.-27.7.: several climbs in Gangotri group (west of Mana)

Only two weeks after arrival in the base camp, the summit was reached - for a high 7000 m peak a quite sportive feat. The long approach on foot probably supported a good acclimatization (compared to the quicker approach today). Despite the sometimes very flowery language, Smythe's book is the best reading about Kamet. [1]

1937

A British military expedition led by Ralph Ridley reaches more than 7200 m on the 1931 route. Unfortunately except for some pictures which were shown in the exhibition "The Ice Soldiers" in England in 2003, no detailed information has survived. Smythe, who happened to meet a participant when he approached Valley of Flowers, indicates some lack of mountaineering experience as a reason for the failure [2].

1955

An Indian expedition reaches the summit using the actual ridge which Smythe had avoided in the eastern flank.[3]

1962

October/November: An unexpected Chinese attack causes the Indo-Chinese border war. Areas close to the border are closed to any access.

1979

An Indian expedition reaches the summit from southeast of Meade's Col.

1983

An Indian expedition must turn back on the west ridge at about 7000 m because of a snow storm.

1984

An Indian military expedition of the Assam Rifles reaches the summit in September.

1985

In autumn, an Indo-French expedition climbs the technically difficult west ridge (V-VI).[3]

1987

An expedition of Indian Border Security Forces climbs Abi Gamin and Kamet.

1989

An Indian expedition led by Bachendri Pal (first Indian woman on Mount Everest, 1984) climbs Kamet and Abi Gamin.

1991

The Indian Mount Everest Women Pre-Everest Selection Expedition (again led by Bachendri Pal) reaches Abi Gamin with 16 participants. At Kamet they reach 7730 m.

1998

Argentine expedition to Kamet.

2001

In August a Polish expedition is at Kamet.

2003

Indian marine climbs Abi Gamin and Kamet in May/June as preparation for a Mount Everest expedition.

2004

In May, an expedition of the Indian marine climbs Kamet. Three members are rescued by a helicopter because of frostbite and high altitude sickness; with 7000 m this was the highest helicopter rescue ever successfully carried out.

2004

As a preparation to the first Indian all-women expedition to Mount Everest 2005, a 27-person team attempts Kamet in August. Except for the announcement in the internet, there was no newer information to be found.

The completeness of the data after 1949, especially for expeditions on the normal route, cannot be guaranteed. Very probably, in "before internet times" expedition reports got dusty in some archives and information about climbs never reached the public.

Literatur

• [1] Frank Smythe, "Kamet Conquered", in "The Six Alpine/Himalayan Climbing Books", Bâton Wicks, London, 2000. ISBN 1-898573-37-9
• [2] Frank Smythe, "The Valley of Flowers", in "The Six Alpine/Himalayan Climbing Books", see above.
• [3] Jill Neate, "High Asia", The Mountaineers, Seattle, 1989, ISBN 0-89886-278-8, S. 82ff.

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Kamet 2005

Map sketch

Height diagram

practical info

Deutsche Version

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Last updated 21 August 2005 by Hartmut Bielefeldt