BUKUDABAN FENG
IN 2020 CENTRAL ASIA meets TIBET
We’ve been going to Central Asia and Tibet for nearly 2 decades; the high plateau, Turkistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and the Wakhan. We’ve paddled rivers, climbed serious peaks, crossed deserts, ridden horses and been to lots of places we arent meant to have. the scope for proper, old school expeditions ‘Tillman Style’ is alive and well.
2020 sets the bar to a new high with a trip to somewhere so off the grid even the planning is exciting. Part Tibetan ascent, part Central Asian strategic game, 2020’s objective is Bukadaban Feng.
Never heard of it? Aside from a few geologists almost no one has.
WHERE?
Bukadaban is the highest peak in Qinghai and depending how you look at it, the Kunlun Range at 6,980m. Its an independent massif surrounded by huge endoherric salt lakes fed by rivers that go nowhere. One side is remotest high Tibet – the ‘third pole’ – the other side is the watershed for the southern Tarim Basin. If that description doesnt excite you youve got issues.
Building on the way we climb in Eastern Tibet combined with how we run trips like Sauyr Zhotasy weve pulled together a set of logistics more like a special forces mission than a climbing trip; special vehicles, serious navigation, complex supply, a huge backend of bureaucracy and organization. this is the first trip weve done that makes the north side of K2 feel easy.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Admittedly, not everyone. Straight up – it will be hard work. There wont be porters or tea houses, things like sourcing water will be a significant part of the plan. If you need daily internet, strict timelines and zero variables you wont get that here. But, if serious expeditioning to somewhere seriously remote excites you, read on.
The climbing itself will be straightforward, but it will be high. we expect a week on the mountain, potentially on a new route (its been climbed, once…).
WHATS IT GOING TO COST?
Five weeks of your time and surprisingly less than youre thinking. Actual costs will depend on team size and where you start/end (ie which city). The team will be small which means the loads will be big but makes us adaptable and mobile.
WHEN?
Second half of summer. Weve found an anomaly in the weather we can exploit so this puts us at a June step off.
WHAT NEXT?
Communicate. Get in touch with CENTRAL ASIA in the subject line and be ready for the back and forth to nail things down. If youre not training – start.