The
Karambar Glacier lies at the northern limit of the Ishkoman
Valley with the surrounding mountains forming the extreme
western boundary of the Karakoram range. The whole region
has received little attention in comparison with the widely
travelled eastern Karakoram, and was chosen for it's new route
potential on sub 6000m peaks.
Access via the Ishkoman Valley was made
difficult by widespread seasonal flooding, but a fine base
camp was established in a small ablation valley adjacent to
the true right bank of the main Karambar Glacier. From here
two weeks of exploration and reconnaissance ensued, the result
of which was a decision to concentrate on the peaks at the
head of the Kutshkulin Glacier that runs north from the Karambar
itself. Using information gained from two acclimatisation
climbs above the Kutshkulin Glacier, a peak subsequently found
to be Kutshkulin Sar (c5900m), was finally attempted.
