The Guardian

Mountain high: the world’s last great challenges

Mountaineers came closer than ever to climbing the north ridge of Latok I in Pakistan’s Karakoram range last week. It is not the only peak defying human conquest
The Latok group (left) and Baintha Brakk, Karakoram mountains, Pakistan. Photograph: Feng Wei Photography/Getty Images

The north ridge of Latok I, the 7,145-metre-high spur of ice and granite in the Karakoram mountains, Pakistan, has defeated climbers for 40 years, after it was it was first tried, in 1978, by an immensely strong American expedition. Earlier this year, on this, then judged the top section too dangerous and reached the summit another way. So Latok I technically remains one of the last great challenges of the climbing world.

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