In April 2003, the Eagle Ski Club, led by Rob Collister, left the UK for India in a bid to be the first team to ski the Black Peak, or Kalanag.
At 20,956ft / 6387m, Kalanag demands caution and respect, and the team of highly experienced skiers prepared well, gaining sponsorship from, among others, Terra Nova Equipment.
Basecamp was at Lake Ruinsara, and, after six days of acclimatisation, the ascent began in earnest on the 18th April. Storms impeded progress, but despite the conditions, by the 20th April, the team had reached 4600m – Camp 1.
The following days saw the team ascending ice falls and crossing glaciers, all the while gaining altitude steeply.
The final Camp was set up at 5500m on the 22nd April, and on the 23rd, the final push for the summit took place.
Serious exposure and dangerously icy footing meant that the team roped up and left their skis a short distance from the summit.
Having successfully summited in over five hours from Camp 3, the team then took 40 minutes to ski back down again, and were able to reach Lake Ruinsara in good time the next day. After a well-earned rest, the team headed back to the UK.
The Eagle Ski Club Kalanag Expedition 2003 was a complete success, and Terra Nova Equipment is proud that we helped to make their achievement possible.
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