Bypass Coloir of Nuam Kuan Icefall

Nuam Kuan (a.k.a. Nuamkuam) Glacier is a southern tributary to Dykhsu (a.k.a. Dykh-Kotyu-Bugaj ) glacier. The upper glacial plateau is nested just North of the Main Range of the Caucusus just off the Eastern end of Bezengi Wall, in the shadow of mighty Shkhara. A very large dual-tier icefall blocks off direct ascent from Dykhsu glacier. A giant snow coloir branches North below the icefall, and provides a convenient bypass to the Upper Plateau. In the upper reaches of the coloir, the route turns sharply left (SW) into a lesser snow coloir with a chockstone, and up class 3-4 rock. The picture is taken down into the main bypass coloir from that point. Note two people ascending. August 1987.