2004 Expedition to Kunlun Shan

The goal of the Kunlun 2004 expedition is to explore several peaks of the Aksai Chin plateau with the dual motive of first ascents of 6000m peaks, and scientific research in the form of geological survey data collection, and experimental use of fuel cell power systems at high altitude conditions.

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True exploration is by its nature original, though the exploration of uncharted territory is certainly nothing new, as it has been happening since the first empires were built and new lands were conquered. While the thought of "conquering" a mountain may be thing of the past, and with it the early Himalayan style of besieging a peak, there is still an attraction to the virgin summits of our ever-shrinking planet.

After seeing a friend in Alaska make a presentation of his successful summit of Gasherbrum IV, I realized that he had nothing more than I did except a few more climbs in the Alaska range, and the drive to take six weeks off and climb something. Tour groups are now offering the opportunity to take anyone with a bit of cash to the base of some of the greatest mountains in the world. For a bit more cash, they'll take you to the top. Taking the next step and climbing something alone and unguided is exploring. The goal of Unnamed-Unclimbed is to get away and explore something new, map something, above all to get away from it all, and bring back memories of that little corner of the earth that we actually explored.