Any thoughts about a first 7000m peak?

Pik Lenin?

On the strength of having been to 7000 feet before, how about Spantik?

Maybe Aconcagua?..yes , yes I know not a real 7,000 m but a credible option to learn about HA.

Otherwise yes, Mustagh Ata, Spantik, Baruntse.

A friend of mine runs expeditions to Kang Guru at 7,010 m and Himlung (1st attempt)

Also, check out Damien Gildea's answers to climbing in the Asia branch. He provides some interesting information on some 'less famous' 7,000 m peaks.

thanks for your input guys,

From what I have read and seen baruntse looks to be a step up from say spantik or muztagh ata, lenin etc?

I have climbed in the Baruntse region, but not the mountain itself. I have also read up a fair bit on Baruntse and the others.

There is a bit of exposed climbing on Baruntse but it isnt overly difficult - easier than Ama Dablam. The big thing with Baruntse is that above BC it is more like a true expedition - carrying loads and cooking your own food & boiling water each day/night, unlike trekking peaks when you are supported all the way to the top and back. Meant to be a great climb and fantastic preparation for an 8000er....

hey andrew,

yeah, I've seen some of those shots, pretty exposed alright..

I think I'd try spantik before I'd try baruntse... although I've read spantik has a low success rate..

Is it true you have climbed Alpamayo??? If you have I would suggest that Spantik (excluding the weather) would be a walk in the park in comparison. Alpamayo (I have been told by a reliable source) is French grade AD which I believe is much tougher than Baruntse would be - of course excluding the extra altitiude!

I'd go for Lenin. Not only is it one of the easiest 7000ers, it's one of the cheapest since no permit is required (unlike Spantik and Muztagh Ata).

hey,

heard lenin is a good option...

Andrew, I've climbed pequeno alpaymayo, a lot easier than alpamayo! will definately be going back to south america again sometime..

foli

thanks, but I'm going to have a crack off island and mera peak this year, maybe then move up a notch..

spangtik(Golden peak) 7060m beautiful plus easy to climb.