Jonny Copp and Micah Dash made a speedy, alpine-style first ascent of the 19,200-foot “Shafat Fortress” in Kashmir, India. The two men climbed the Colorado Route (VI 5.11 A1 M6) on their first attempt, spending four days en route, including nearly two days inside their tent due to weather and conditions. They reached the summit on August 11. 

More details about the route can be found at www.americanalpineclub.org. The two had hoped to climb a beautiful 3,500-foot granite wall on the western side of the peak. Dash said in an email, “We had a blast, despite desperate conditions on both rock and ice.” 

Both Copp and Dash were supported by the American Alpine Club’s Lyman Spitzer Cutting-Edge Awards. 

Date of Ascent: Summit reached August 11, 2007 

Source: Micah Dash, Jonny Copp

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