Independence Peak | |
Other Name: | Revolution Peak |
Elevation M: | 6940 |
Elevation Ref: | [1] |
Prominence M: | 2402 |
Listing: | Ultra |
Map: | Tajikistan |
Map Size: | 300 |
Label: | Independence Peak |
Label Position: | bottom |
Location: | GBAO, Tajikistan |
Range: | Pamir Mountains |
Coordinates: | 38.51°N 72.3542°W |
First Ascent: | 1954, by A. Ugarov et al. |
Easiest Route: | glacier/snow climb |
Independence Peak or Qullai Istiqlol (Russian: Пик Независимости; Tajik: Қуллаи Истиқлол), at 69400NaN0, is the seventh-highest peak in the Pamir Mountains,[2] located at the center of Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, above the source of the Yazgulem River in the Yazgulem Range. The mountain consists of three snow- and ice-covered summits and its northwest face is the source of the Fedchenko Glacier.
The peak was originally named Dreispitz by a joint Russian–German team who discovered it in 1928, but failed to climb it due to deep snow and avalanche danger. The first ascent was made in 1954 by a Russian team led by A. Ugarov. After World War II, Dreispitz was renamed Revolution Peak (Tajik: Қуллаи Инқилоб, Qullai Inkilob), and in July 2006 it was given its current name.
British Climbers Simon Spencer-Jones (26) and Ian Hatcher (26) disappeared in 2005, attempting to summit Peak Revolution via the Fenchenko Glacier with the University of Bristol Climbing Club. They departed base camp on 13 July and did not return at the planned date of 18 July. Two helicopters assisted in a ground and air search but no bodies were found, it is thought both climbers were killed as a result of 3 ft of snow that fell over 48 hours.[3]