Almost 40 years after their first major expedition together, Fowler and Saunders will return to a remote area to make an attempt on an unclimbed peak. The trip is being supported by Berghaus and the two climbers will be using kit from the brand’s high performance Extrem range.

Mick Fowler and Vic Saunders were regular climbing partners in the 1980s when both men lived in London.  They became well known in mountaineering circles for completing many challenging Scottish winter routes, including Shield Direct on Ben Nevis, which was the first to be graded VI in a Scottish guide book. Fowler and Saunders also explored the Himalaya and their last climb together before an extended break was the first ascent of the Golden Pillar of Spantik (Pakistan) in 1987. They reunited in 2016 to achieve a first ascent on the north face of Sersank in the Indian Himalaya, and had planned more expeditions before Fowler’s cancer diagnosis delayed them.

 Vic Saunders left and Mick Fowler on the summit of Spantik in 1987

Following successful treatment, Fowler has returned to fitness and expeditions, and now explores the Himalaya with the additional challenge of needing to use a colostomy bag. In 2019, he teamed up with Saunders for two attempts to make a first ascent of Chombu in India, but they were thwarted by a combination of bad weather and illness caused by freeze dried food that had gone off. The two climbers have now identified a new unclimbed objective and will fly to the Himalaya later this month.

 Mick Fowler and Vic Saunders on Chombu in 2019

Mick Fowler comments: “Vic and I are excited about the potential of this trip. We’ve identified an objective that ticks a lot of the boxes that matter to us – the peak is the most prominent and attractive in its location, it is unclimbed, and it is in a remote area that has rarely been visited. This should be a great adventure and a fitting way to continue our long climbing partnership.”

If the expedition goes to plan, Fowler and Saunders will return to the UK towards the end of September. Updates will be shared via Berghaus’ social media channels as soon as they are available.