RAF Team make first ascent of Mount Langdung, Nepal
- Monday 24th September 2018
Sept 24th; 2018
Flight Lieutenant Olly Pirkis and Squadron Leader Gordon Henderson have made the first British ascent of Mount Langdung (6357m) in Nepal.
Photo: Flight Lieutenant Olly Pirkis and Squadron Leader Gordon Henderson during their successful attempt.
Pirkis and Henderson, two members of the Royal Air Force Himalayan Venture 2018 Expedition (HV18), summited at 3pm on September 17th having climbed Mount Langdung from its south east side.
Olly Pirkis commented:
“It was an absolute privilege to reach the top with Gordon, I never expected to lead the successful team. What an honour to do it during both the 100th year of the Royal Air Force and 70th anniversary of the Royal Air Force Mountaineering Association.”
Photo: Flight Lieutenant Olly Pirkis and Squadron Leader Gordon Henderson after their successful attempt.
The HV18 expedition consisted of 75 members of the Royal Air Force including members of the Reserves, University Air Squadrons and Air Cadets. It is the largest single service expedition to be undertaken.
Squadron Leader Peter McCreedy, the HV18 expedition leader, said:
“It’s an exceptional achievement in what has already been a remarkable year celebrating RAF100. Exploring such a remote corner of the Rolwaling Himal has been a privilege, but for the expedition to have put climbers on the summit on Langdung for only the second time, and via a new route, has exceeded all expectations.”
Mount Langdung is situated in the Rolwaling Himal of Nepal and its summit straddles the border with China (Tibet). Standing at 6357m (20,856ft), the mountain received its first, and until now only, ascent on the 20th of December, last year by four local Sherpa members of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA).