In the summer of 2013, climbers Mike Libecki, Ethan Pringle, and Liv Sansoz traveled to the remote Tian Shan Mountains near the border of China and Kyrgyzstan. The team traveled through desert landscapes, a maze of sandstone towers, high plains and deep valleys to establish one of the most unique multi-pitch climbs in the region.
In episode one of this video series by Mountain Hardwear, we meet the climbers as they travel through the remote region, meeting locals and hauling equipment with camels and motorcycles. Eventually they make their objective of a huge granite wall.
In the second episode, they plan and begin their climb, all the while under the threat of rockfall and other objective hazards, such as a 100-ton boulder sliding just feet from their cook tent (some incredible footage). These two videos give a glimpse into the world of exploration few ever experience. —Sean McCoy
