{"id":24202,"date":"2026-07-27T11:43:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T11:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bergundsteigen.com\/?post_type=artikel&#038;p=24202"},"modified":"2026-07-27T11:43:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T11:43:16","slug":"first-ascent-tahu-rutums-west-face","status":"publish","type":"artikel","link":"https:\/\/www.bergundsteigen.com\/en\/artikel\/first-ascent-tahu-rutums-west-face\/","title":{"rendered":"13 days on the wall: First ascent of Tahu Rutum\u2019s west face"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"First Ascent of Tahu Rutum\u2019s West Face\" class=\"wp-image-24217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-1400x1750.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground-700x875.jpg 700w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/The-Leopard-of-Higher-Ground.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The line of\u00a0<em>The Leopard of Higher Ground<\/em>\u00a0follows a direct line up Tahu Rutum&#8217;s west face, linking steep rock, snow and mixed terrain to the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-highlight-box-blue\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Leopard of Higher Ground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Belgian climbers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/siebevanhee\/?hl=de\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/siebevanhee\/?hl=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Siebe Vanhee<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/seanvillanuevaodriscoll\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/seanvillanuevaodriscoll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sean Villanueva O&#8217;Driscoll<\/a>, together with French alpinist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/symon9v\/?hl=de\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/symon9v\/?hl=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Symon Welfringer<\/a>, completed the first ascent of Tahu Rutum&#8217;s previously unclimbed west face<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their new route, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbJELKEjdLa\/?hl=de&amp;img_index=4\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbJELKEjdLa\/?hl=de&amp;img_index=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Leopard of Higher Ground<\/a>, climbs 1,500 metres through rock, snow and mixed terrain on the remote 6,651-metre Karakoram peak.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The team spent 13 days on the wall, combining capsule-style big wall climbing with alpine techniques at over 6,000 metres. Every pitch of the route was free climbed.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ascent marks only the second known ascent of Tahu Rutum since a Japanese expedition first reached the summit in 1977.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A single ascent in 50 years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tahu Rutum<\/strong> \u2014 also spelled Taa Hurutum in the local language \u2014 rises above the glaciers close to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hispar_Valley\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hispar_Valley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hispar region of Pakistan<\/a>. The mountain\u2019s dramatic, Patagonia-like profile has made it one of the most striking and elusive objectives in the Karakoram. Until this ascent, its summit had only been reached once before, by a Japanese team in 1977 via the southwest ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Vanhee, the story of the west face began in 2014, when he met the late American alpinist <a href=\"https:\/\/publications.americanalpineclub.org\/articles\/13201214298\/Kyle-Dempster-1983-2016\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/publications.americanalpineclub.org\/articles\/13201214298\/Kyle-Dempster-1983-2016\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kyle Dempster<\/a>. Dempster, who disappeared in Pakistan in 2016, had attempted Tahu Rutum\u2019s west face solo in 2008. During that extraordinary effort, he spent 23 days on the wall and reached a point just 200 metres below the summit before being forced to retreat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since hearing Dempster\u2019s story, the mountain had remained fixed in Vanhee\u2019s imagination.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May 2026, Vanhee assembled a team with a wide range of skills: French alpinist Symon Welfringer, British trad climber <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/petewhittaker01\/?hl=de\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/petewhittaker01\/?hl=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pete Whittaker<\/a>, and Belgian big wall climbers Sean Villanueva O\u2019Driscoll and Siebe Vanhee. The four climbers left Europe on 25 May for a 45-day expedition. However, when the team reached base camp, Whittaker developed altitude sickness and was forced to return home. Vanhee, Villanueva O\u2019Driscoll and Welfringer continued as a team of three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Loose rock, demanding climbing and ten days of hauling. Credit: Siebe Vanhee\" class=\"wp-image-24211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-280x373.jpg 280w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-1400x1867.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV-700x933.jpg 700w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_6_Credits_SiebeV.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Loose rock, demanding climbing and ten days of hauling. Credit: Siebe Vanhee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The most ridiculous line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On 15 June, the trio began climbing<\/strong>. Rather than taking the obvious glacial approach from the left, which would have led directly to the main wall, they chose to attack the lower rock face from the right, hoping to connect to the main spire via snow slopes. The decision committed them to a complex and energy-sapping line: eight initial pitches of loose rock, followed by steep snow traverses and difficult hauling terrain before they even reached the base of the main headwall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe chose the most ridiculous line, not a single alpinist would choose,\u201d said Siebe Vanhee. \u201cWe attacked it big wall style, demanding hard work and energy. I cursed a few times \u2014 why are we hauling for 10 days on this kind of terrain? But this is what we do. It\u2019s a big wall climber\u2019s line at high altitude, and it was worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because their objective was to free climb the face, the team adopted a <strong>capsule-style strategy, hauling portaledges and enough food, fuel and equipment for up to 15 days on the wall<\/strong>. The approach allowed them to stay on the wall through unstable weather and continue the ascent when the forecast improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-highlight-box-blue\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ascent styles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Alpine style<\/strong> is considered the purest form of mountaineering. Climbers carry all their equipment from base camp to the summit, avoid fixed ropes and established camps, and aim to complete the route in a single continuous push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Capsule style<\/strong> adapts big wall techniques to high-altitude climbing. Teams establish camps on the wall, fix ropes and haul food, equipment and portaledges upwards in stages. While slower and more equipment-intensive, the approach allows climbers to stay on the wall during bad weather and tackle long, technically demanding routes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll in all, I think our strategy was the best, as we managed to make the most of weather windows that were split in two by a major three-day snowstorm. Thanks to the capsule style, we managed to stay on the wall and keep our effort going. The experience opened my eyes to a new style of climbing at altitude, and I think the possibilities are endless. I am already dreaming of other new lines with stunning free climbing\u201d, said Symon Welfringer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"First Ascent of Tahu Rutum\u2019s West Face\" class=\"wp-image-24215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-280x200.jpg 280w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-400x286.jpg 400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-1400x1000.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-600x428.jpg 600w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV-700x500.jpg 700w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_8_Credits_SiebeV.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A capsule-style ascent: The team established successive portaledge camps, allowing them to stay on the wall throughout the climb. Credit:  Siebe Vanhee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7b above 6000 metres<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By day 11<\/strong>, the team had established their fourth portaledge camp at the base of the main wall, at 6,260 metres. Although they had already endured more than a week and a half of difficult climbing, hauling and exposure, the steepest and most technical section of the route still lay above them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On day 12<\/strong>, they fixed their 400 metres of static rope and climbed the most difficult section of the route: <strong>steep, overhanging terrain above 6,000 metres, with free climbing up to 7b.<\/strong> For the team, it was the highlight of the expedition. The following morning, despite exhaustion and seven consecutive days without rest, the weather remained stable enough to attempt the summit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On 27 June<\/strong>, Vanhee, Villanueva O\u2019Driscoll and Welfringer climbed back to their high point and continued to the top, reaching the summit in clear conditions with expansive views across the surrounding Karakoram peaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"First Ascent of Tahu Rutum\u2019s West Face\" class=\"wp-image-24213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-1536x1228.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-280x224.jpg 280w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-400x320.jpg 400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-1400x1119.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-600x480.jpg 600w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV-700x560.jpg 700w, https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_7_Credits_SiebeV.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sean Villanueva O&#8217;Driscoll, Symon Welfringer and Siebe Vanhee on the summit of Tahu Rutum. Credit: Siebe Vanhee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A close call<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most dramatic moments of the expedition came during the hauling on complex terrain, when a haul bag became stuck and Vanhee lowered down to free it. \u201cSiebe lowered down to get the bag unstuck. Suddenly the haul line cut on a sharp edge. We all looked at each other in disbelief \u2014 somehow Siebe had managed to catch it before it fell. If it had fallen, it would have been the end of the ascent, as there was a lot of important equipment in that pig.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name <strong>The Leopard of Higher Ground <\/strong>honours both the mountain and Dempster\u2019s legacy. In the local language, Taa Hurutum means \u201cthe home of the snow leopard\u201d. <a href=\"https:\/\/semi-rad.com\/2016\/09\/remembering-kyle-dempster-alpinist-barista-superhero-regular-guy\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/semi-rad.com\/2016\/09\/remembering-kyle-dempster-alpinist-barista-superhero-regular-guy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Higher Ground Coffee<\/a> was the name of the coffee shop Dempster owned in Salt Lake City. During their climb, the team\u2019s line crossed Dempster\u2019s 2008 solo attempt, and they found three of his old anchors on the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To the team\u2019s knowledge, this is only the second ascent of Tahu Rutum and the first ascent of its west face. It is also the first time the mountain has been climbed since 1977.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.bergundsteigen.com\/2026\/07\/Press_Sel_2_Credits_SymonW.heic\" alt=\"First Ascent of Tahu Rutum\u2019s West Face\" class=\"wp-image-24205\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Leopard of Higher Ground: A tribute to both the mountain and Kyle Dempster&#8217;s legacy. Credit: Siebe Vanhee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-highlight-box-blue\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ascent Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mountain<\/strong>: Tahu Rutum \/ Taa Hurutum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Altitude<\/strong>: 6,651 m<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location<\/strong>: Karakoram, Pakistan, close to the Hispar Glacier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Route<\/strong>: The Leopard of Higher Ground<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Face<\/strong>: West Face<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Length<\/strong>: 1,500m<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climbers<\/strong>: Siebe Vanhee, Sean Villanueva O\u2019Driscoll, Symon Welfringer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Summit date<\/strong>: 27 June 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time on wall<\/strong>: 13 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Style<\/strong>: Capsule-style big wall ascent at altitude<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Free climbing<\/strong>: Team Free Ascent &#8211; Every pitch free climbed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maximum difficulty<\/strong>: 7b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High camp<\/strong>: Fourth portaledge camp established at 6,260m<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Known previous ascent of mountain<\/strong>: Japanese expedition, 1977, via the southwest ridge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Previous west face attempt: Kyle Dempster, solo, 2008<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the climbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/siebevanhee\/?hl=de\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/siebevanhee\/?hl=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Siebe Vanhee<\/a><\/strong> is a Belgian big wall free climber known for technical, adventurous ascents on some of the world\u2019s most demanding walls. His climbing combines high-level free climbing with the patience and resilience of expedition big wall climbing. In 2024, he was part of the team that made the first team free ascent of Riders on the Storm on Torre Central in Torres del Paine, Patagonia \u2014 one of the most iconic alpine big wall routes in the world. He was also part of the first free ascent of El Regalo de Mwono on the same tower, and has completed hard European multi-pitch climbs including a rare one-day free ascent of Orbayu (8c, 500m) on Picu Urriellu in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/seanvillanuevaodriscoll\/?hl=de\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/seanvillanuevaodriscoll\/?hl=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sean Villanueva O\u2019Driscoll<\/a><\/strong> is a Belgian climber, alpinist and musician, widely recognised for his creative approach to big wall climbing, remote expeditions and exploratory alpinism. A two-time Piolets d\u2019Or recipient, he was recognised for the 2010 Greenland Big Walls expedition and again for his extraordinary Moonwalk Traverse of the Fitz Roy massif in Patagonia, a solo south-to-north traverse of the range. Sean has spent decades opening difficult free climbs in wild places around the world, often combining serious climbing with music, humour and a deeply personal sense of adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/symon9v\/?hl=de\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/symon9v\/?hl=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Symon Welfringer<\/a><\/strong> is a French alpinist and climber with extensive experience on technical alpine and high-altitude objectives, particularly in Pakistan\u2019s Karakoram. In 2020, together with Pierrick Fine, he made the first ascent of the south face of Sani Pakkush via Revers Gagnant, an alpine-style ascent that was awarded a Piolet d\u2019Or in 2021. He has also been part of exploratory expeditions to little-known regions of Pakistan, including the first ascent of Risht Peak in the Yarkhun Valley. His background combines high-level rock climbing, mixed climbing and modern exploratory alpinism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Source: Patagonia press materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After 13 days on the wall, Siebe Vanhee, Sean Villanueva O&#8217;Driscoll and Symon Welfringer made the first ascent of the 1,500 m west face of Tahu Rutum, a remote 6,651-metre peak in Pakistan&#8217;s Karakoram. But reaching the summit was only part of the story.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":24215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","thema":[779],"sportart":[61],"ausgabe":[],"autorinnen":[94],"class_list":["post-24202","artikel","type-artikel","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","thema-seilschaft","sportart-alpinklettern","autorinnen-bergundsteigen"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>13 days on the wall: First ascent of Tahu Rutum\u2019s west face - bergundsteigen<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sean Villanueva O&#039;Driscoll, Siebe Vanhee and Symon Welfringer open a new route on Tahu Rutum&#039;s unclimbed west face.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bergundsteigen.com\/en\/artikel\/first-ascent-tahu-rutums-west-face\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Leopard of Higher Ground: First ascent in Pakistan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"After 13 days on the wall, Siebe Vanhee, Sean Villanueva O&#039;Driscoll and Symon Welfringer made the first ascent of the 1,500 m west face of Tahu Rutum, a remote 6,651-metre peak in Pakistan&#039;s Karakoram. 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