Bozeman Magazine

In August 2018, word filtered out of Pakistan that the fabled North Ridge of Latok 1 (7,145m) had finally been climbed. Following on the heals of a dramatic helicopter rescue of a Russian climber, Slovenian’s Ales Cesen and Luka Strazar, and Tom Livingstone made the first ascent of the mountain from the north via a variation to the North Ridge, and only the peak’s second ascent ever. Latok's North Ridge has had a mythic appeal since the American team of Jim Donini, Michael Kennedy, George Lowe and Jeff Lowe nearly succeeded on the long, committing ridge in 1978. They came within a few hundred meters of the summit, but they retreated after Jeff Lowe nearly died from a sudden onset of altitude sickness. Thwarting the world’s best for another four decades, no one has yet surpassed their ridge high point, despite many attempts by elite alpinists over the years. Come to the Emerson Crawford Theater to hear Tom Livingstone, tell his story first hand and share his thoughts on this historic ascent. Presented by Mountain Equipment and the Bozeman Ice Festival.