Sloping snowfield at the treshold of Nuamkuan Iceshield Plteau

Nuam Kuan (a.k.a. Nuamkuam) Glacier is a southern tributary to Dychsu (a.k.a. Dykh-Kotyu-Bugaj ) glacier, which is the crevissed body of ice visible far below. 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. Further up, a snowfield continues to a gentle crest overlooking the plateau. Note a climber ascending. August 1987.