UKH

In case the link doesn't work, I found this in today's NYT.

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/us/climbing-jannu-north-face.html?unlock...

Excellent. This summarizes it:

“The three already have plans for another monumental climb.

They do not include Everest. Something bigger.”

Inflatable portaledges?! Imagine.. blowing up a portal edge at that altitude?? Or carrying a pump?? What about puncture risk?

It’s made of similar material to inflatable river rafts apparently:

https://www.grade7.com/pages/pod

Maybe the North Pillar of Mount Tengkangpoche? Or the East Face of Mount K2?

Not a bad article though.

That’s a high tech and well designed solution. Not that I’ll ever need one. But I’m impressed nevertheless 

If people are interested in hearing the account and a view back perspective of the ascent you can listen to Matt, Jackson and Alan speaking on The Cutting Edge on Spotify. Just amazing how techniques and weight reduction in equipment processes have made routes like this doable (and possibly reduced the safety margins, even with good weather forecasts). Lets see where they go next.

I just downloaded that last night. Along with a new one from the Enormo-dude. Ginna binge this weekend !

You don't use a pump you use an inflation sack similar to lots of inflatable mats. You also carry (probably multiple) puncture repair kits. 

It's a really nice bit of writing from a 'news paper' for a change, there's little or no over-exaggeration, the climbing bits are well explained for the average Joe/Jo, and you get a comprehensive view on what they did, how they did it, and how hard it was, and why it's not their Everest.

Should be used as a case-study for other climbing-journo MSN reporting on climbing.

Wow, a really good article that reads more like something from a climbing magazine.

Absolutely.

Should get Nick Robinson to read it. He was interviewing them on radio 4 the other day and seemed to struggle with the idea that something could be harder to climb than Everest or why climbers might not actually have any interest in climbing Everest at all.

It was a bit like getting your granny, who's never been to a football match in her life, to explain the offside rule.

John Branch is the guy who did the Dawn Wall coverage at the time and has also been involved with Honnold, so he seems to get it!