Annapurna IV: Summit Push On For American Team Planning First Ski Descent

Ben Clark, Tim Clarke, and Josh Butson are currently making their summit push on the 24,680 Ft. peak of Annapurna IV. The three of them, if successful in achieving the summit, are then planning to ski down! If successful, this would mark the first ski descent ever on Annapurna.

Skiing on the world’s highest peaks is not new, but it is done very rarely. Last year, I actually had the opportunity to write an article for an Online Ski publication called Topia Road. The article examined skiing, both successful and failed attempts, on Mt. Everest over the past few years. Annapurna has not had the advantage of previously successful attempts to learn from. This will be a first.

ExplorersWeb recently had the opportunity to chat with Ben Clark about this expedition. Not much press has been given to the trio. During the interview, Ben was asked about the teams previous high-altitude experience, as well as experience in climbing. He stated the following:

“That’s a long answer but in short, first ascents
in alpine, trad, ice, bouldering and first descents for all of us
individually. Collectively we have 10 Himalayan expeditions, 4 trips to
China, 12 South American expeditions and 2 Alaskan. I’ll let the cat
out of the bag…I’ve summitted via the North Ridge of Everest and been
to Dhaulagiri and Shishapangma as well.

Currently the trio are heading up to the summit from their high camp at 20,000 feet. They are reporting some wind and snow with some big avalanche potential. Let’s wish these three well, and hope for a safe descent. I will kep you updated if I here more.

UPDATE:

The Adventure Blog is reporting that this expedition has called it quits. From The Adventure Blog:

The original plan was for Ben Clark, Josh Butson, and Tim Clarke to summit the 24,680 foot Himalayan peak, and then ski it’s North ridge back down, some 9000 feet of near vertical wonderland. Tim took ill a few days back and was forced to go back down the mountain to base camp, but Ben and Josh tried to give it another go. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate. The area has been plagued with storms since their arrival in a soggy BC several weeks back, and the snow has continued to fly pretty much ever since.

For the complete update, head over to The Adventure Blog. Thanks, Kraig