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Once our tents were up and we'd tea-hydrated, it was time to take some photos.
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Evening light over Tajikistan from 6200m. |
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The scene from Camp 3, 6200m. |
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Peak Kommunizma, highest in the former Soviet Union. |
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Evening views from Camp 3. |
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Evening views from Camp 3. |
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Our tents after sunset at Camp 3. It was cold now. |
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Last light after sunset, Camp 3, 6200m. |
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After sunset, Camp 3, 6200m. |
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Myself looking at the view, after sunset, Camp 3, 6200m. |
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As expected, summit day began with an uphill slog. Camp 3 is in the top left of this photo.
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Summit day began with a steady 300m altitude gain. |
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Here is Andy. |
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Bett, with the glacier and Camp 1 now far below. |
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After the initial slog, at an altitude of 6500m, there was a level section. Even though it was almost level, it was still slow going due to the high altitude. |
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Views from the level plateau across to the mountains of Tajikistan. |
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Tajikistan is nothing but a jumble of mountains. This photo is taken from an altitude of about 6600m. This is the high Pamir. |
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The high Pamir, from 6600m on Peak Lenin. |
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The high Pamir, from 6600m on Peak Lenin. |
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The high Pamir, from 6600m on Peak Lenin. |
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The high Pamir, from 6600m on Peak Lenin. |
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Peak Kommunizma can be seen on right. |
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The high Pamir, from 6600m on Peak Lenin. |
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Peak Kommunizma! |
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Ahead lies the steepest part of the summit day climb. There are fixed ropes on the steep slope ahead. |
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Myself, climbing towards the fixed ropes at about 6700m. |
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Views from about 6700m on Peak Lenin. Bett and Simon are approaching the fixed ropes. |
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Bett and Simon on the fixed ropes. |
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At an altitude of about 6900m we face a long and seemingly endless very gentle climb. In the thin air, this is extremely slow and difficult. |
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Here we are above 7000m. The route to the summit snakes its way gradually through gently rising country. Due to the extreme altitude, progress is very slow and difficult. |
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Now above 7100m, it is only about 100m to the summit. From here the summit flags can be seen, and Simon is nearly on top. It has started snowing. |
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7134m. The summit of Peak Lenin. |
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7134m. The summit of Peak Lenin. |
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7134m. The summit of Peak Lenin. |
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7134m. The summit of Peak Lenin.
Happy to be on top at last. |
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7134m. The summit of Peak Lenin.
Bett and Simon. |
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In the centre of the photo is Camp 3. It is around 6pm and I have almost made it back to Camp 3, now very tired. |