Graham Zimmerman's Nepal Expedition

FitClimb is honored to be a sponsor of Graham Zimmerman on his next adventure to Nepal. At age 24 Graham is quickly gaining worldclass prominance by putting up new routes and tackling some of the most challenging problems.

Earlier this year Mark Allen and Graham honed a partnership with the first ascent of Vitalogy (AKGr5 M6+ WI5 5.9 R A1, 4,600'). Check out the video here:

Mark Allen and Graham Zimmerman make first ascent of 4600-foot alpi... from Black Diamond Equipment on Vimeo.

Graham and team are joining up again this Fall in Nepal this time with 'The Future' Hayden Kennedy. On October 15th the team will embark on the seven-week expedition. After acclimatization in the Khumbu area the team will ascend 6880m Expedition Peak Ama Dablam via the SW Ridge trade route and maximize thier acclimatization.

With the remaining time (3-weeks) they will return to the unclimbed faces of the of the Gokyo Valley. The main objective is Kyoja Ri, at 6187m it is a striking peak with several lines ranging between technical rock, mixed, and ice lines. At this point Mark will depart Nepal while Graham and Hayden will meet up with Cory Richards and head to the North Face of Chamlang. Chamlang is an overlooked giant that is nestled between the Khumbu and Barun Valleys. Its unique position is sandwiched between Baruntse, Ama Dablam, and the Kantega Massif,making it both incredibly alluring and remote.

The North Face rises from the Chamlang glacier offering approximately 2,000 m of virtually untouched and unexplored terrain. The projected line follows a series of incipient mixed features that hug the central pillar on its right side. The climbing promises to be continuously spicy, mixed and technical terrain. The team intends to approach the face in a single continuous push that will last anywhere from four to seven days. They will fix no lines and bring no bolts. The line embodies everything that a modern alpine climb can sustained sections of steep technical terrain, high altitude, and virgin terrain in a very remote region of the Himalaya.

Visit FitClimb and Graham's page for updates, pictures, and an event with Graham in early 2011.

Climb High, Climb Safe!