Camp 2 to Camp 3
South Annapurna
The most arduous, dangerous and beautiful part of the climb.
Also in Gandaki, Nepal
Alpine Climbing Severe
- Distance
- 2 km
- Ascent
- 960 m
- Descent
- 8 m
- Low Point
- 5.5 km
- High Point
- 6.4 km
- Gradient
- 34˚
This was actually a very hard and long day... The 'Dutch Rib' (the steep pointy bit of snow!) hasnt been climbed since the 70s. Despite looking the hardest bit to climb, it is actually the safest but it was steep and a real lung buster. The day seemed to go on and on and by the end I was absolutely exhausted...
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Description
One of the big dangers on Annapurna is the avalanche threat. Throughout the expedition, we were constantly reminded by this from the debris and over hanging ice. By going up the ridges you avoid that, however, you end up climbing some steep ice ! Which we did.
In one of the photos you can see me standing with the Dutch Rib in the back. Where I was standing may look benign but I was actually standing on a snow bridge over a crevasse. Before getting on the ridge, the threat of avalanche was incredibly high. The ground was littered with recent avalanche debris.
Difficulty
Severe
Steep, sustained and serious terrain on rock/ice. Routes will be long, exposed and possibly committing. D, D+
Best time to visit
Equipment required
- Ice axe
- Crampons
- Glacier kit