Kangchung Shar | 2016 Kangchung La-NW Ridge from S

A UK expedition to Kangchung Shar in 2016 via Kangchung La-NW Ridge from S, led by Ben O'Connor Croft. Summit reached on 6th November 2016. 6 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field	Value
ID	9298
Imported	2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
Host Country	1
Route 1	Kangchung La-NW Ridge from S
Route 2	-
Route 3	-
Route 4	-
Nationality	UK
Leaders	Ben O'Connor Croft
Sponsor	British Khangchung/UIAA Peak Expedition 2016
Success 1	True
Success 2	False
Success 3	False
Success 4	False
Ascent 1	3rd
Ascent 2	-
Ascent 3	-
Ascent 4	-
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Countries	Ecuador
Approach	-
Basecamp Date	-
Summit Date	2016-11-06
Summit Time	1130
Summit Days	0
Total Days	0
Termination Date	-
Termination Reason	1
Termination Notes	-
High Point (m)	6063
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Camps	0
Fixed Rope (m)	0
Total Members	4
Summit Members	3
Member Deaths	0
Total Hired	2
Summit Hired	2
Hired Deaths	0
No Hired	False
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Taken	False
O2 Unknown	False
Other Summits	-
Campsites	BC(5200m),Smt(06/11)
Route Notes	First [Official] Ascent of Khangchung Shar (UIAA) 6063m, Mahalangur Himal, Nepal On November 6th at 11:30 am KTM time the team of Ben O'Connor Croft (UK), Joshua Jarrin (Ecuador), Masha Gordon (UK), Ang Phurba (Nepal) and Pasang Bhote (Nepal) made a first ascent of Khangchung Shar (6063m). The peak was on the list 104 new summits approved for climbing by the government of Nepal in 2014. The route named "Laughing Gargoyle" - because of the large hanging ominous block on the summit - (550m, TD, III/IV) was approached from the Khangchung La pass that lies between the Khangchung and Cholo peaks. The team left base camp at 5200m at 1am and reached the summit at 11:30 am. From the col the team followed the 40 degree snow slope towards a ramp. They headed left up steeper snow and ice, passing small rock steps heading towards the ridge. Arriving at shoulder of the ridge with a piton underneath a block to belay, they then climbed up the ridge until steepness pushed them back onto the face past a rock ramp choked with sugar snow with protection out left. Joining the dots between snow slopes to find rock protection in sometimes very chossey bands was the order of the day. Heading right along the ledge and avoiding a loose chimney above the belay, the team arrived to an airy traverse before turning onto a snow slope between the two summits. Not too technical a climb, but with enough exposed sections and some careful rock "management" to make it a serious climb none the less. Ben O'Connor Croft is an aspirant guide, Joshua Jarrin is an UIAGM guide and Masha Gordon is a founder of GRIT&ROCK. This expedition was organised by Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd. Iswari Paudel Himalayan Guides Nepal
Accidents	-
Achievement	-
Agency	Himalayan Guides
Commercial Route	False
Standard Route	False
Primary Route	False
Primary Member	False
Primary Reference	-
Primary ID	-
Checksum	2460300
Year	2016
Summit Success	True
O2 Summary	None
Route (lowercase)	kangchung la-nw ridge from s

Members

Field	Value
ID	67727
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Member ID	01
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
First Name	Ben Ashley
Last Name	O'Connor Croft
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1984
Calculated Age	32
Citizenship	UK
Status	Leader
Residence	-
Occupation	-
Leader	True
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	6063
Summit Date 1	2016-11-06
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1130
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	3
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2443736
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	ben ashley o'connor croft
Year of Birth	1984
Year	2016
Age at Expedition	32
Role	Leader

Field	Value
ID	67728
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Member ID	03
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
First Name	Joshua Rosendo
Last Name	Jarrin Molina
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1986
Calculated Age	29
Citizenship	Ecuador
Status	Climber
Residence	Quito, Ecuador
Occupation	Alpine guide
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	6063
Summit Date 1	2016-11-06
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1130
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	3
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2444682
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	joshua rosendo jarrin molina
Year of Birth	1986
Year	2016
Age at Expedition	30
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	67729
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Member ID	02
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
First Name	Maria Vladimirovna (Masha)
Last Name	Gordon
Sex	F
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1974
Calculated Age	42
Citizenship	UK/Russia
Status	Climber
Residence	London, England
Occupation	Company director
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	6063
Summit Date 1	2016-11-06
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1130
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	3
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2439992
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	maria vladimirovna (masha) gordon
Year of Birth	1974
Year	2016
Age at Expedition	42
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	67730
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Member ID	04
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
First Name	Paul James
Last Name	Taylor
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1969
Calculated Age	47
Citizenship	UK
Status	Climber
Residence	Hoddlesden, Lancashire, England
Occupation	Garage owner
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	0
Summit Term	0
HCN	0
Checksum	2438175
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	paul james taylor
Year of Birth	1969
Year	2016
Age at Expedition	47
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	67731
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Member ID	06
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
First Name	Ang Phurba
Last Name	Sherpa
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1985
Calculated Age	30
Citizenship	Nepal
Status	H-A Worker
Residence	Khembalung, Yaphu-9, Makalu-Barun
Occupation	-
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	True
Sherpa	True
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	6063
Summit Date 1	2016-11-06
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1130
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	3
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2444284
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	ang phurba sherpa
Year of Birth	1985
Year	2016
Age at Expedition	31
Role	Hired

Field	Value
ID	67732
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Member ID	05
Peak ID	KCHS
Year	2016
Season	3
First Name	Pasang
Last Name	Bhote
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1973
Calculated Age	42
Citizenship	Nepal
Status	H-A Worker
Residence	Chepuwa-1, Makalu-Barun
Occupation	-
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	True
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	True
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	6063
Summit Date 1	2016-11-06
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1130
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	3
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2439918
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	pasang bhote
Year of Birth	1973
Year	2016
Age at Expedition	43
Role	Hired

6 recorded members.

Name	Sex	Year of Birth	Citizenship	Status	Residence	Occupation
Ben Ashley O'Connor Croft	M	1984	UK	Leader	-	-	Details Other expeditions
Joshua Rosendo Jarrin Molina	M	1986	Ecuador	Climber	Quito, Ecuador	Alpine guide	Details Other expeditions
Maria Vladimirovna (Masha) Gordon	F	1974	UK/Russia	Climber	London, England	Company director	Details Other expeditions
Paul James Taylor	M	1969	UK	Climber	Hoddlesden, Lancashire, England	Garage owner	Details Other expeditions
Ang Phurba Sherpa	M	1985	Nepal	H-A Worker	Khembalung, Yaphu-9, Makalu-Barun	-	Details Other expeditions
Pasang Bhote	M	1973	Nepal	H-A Worker	Chepuwa-1, Makalu-Barun	-	Details Other expeditions

References

Field	Value
ID	9965
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Reference ID	01
Year	2016
Type	5
Journal	-
Author	-
Title	http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/masha-gordon-four-others-summit-nepal-virgin-peak-khangchung-shar/
Publisher	-
Publication Date	-
Language	-
Citation	-
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	10184
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Reference ID	02
Year	2016
Type	2
Journal	AAJ
Author	Gordon, Masha
Title	Kangchung Shar, Northwest Ridge from South, First Official Ascent
Publisher	-
Publication Date	2017
Language	-
Citation	91:327 (2017)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	10369
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	KCHS16301
Reference ID	03
Year	2016
Type	5
Journal	-
Author	-
Title	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201214219/Kangchung-Shar-Northwest-Ridge-from-the-South-First-Official-Ascent
Publisher	-
Publication Date	-
Language	-
Citation	-
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

3 recorded references.

Expedition ID	Journal	Author	Title	Publisher	Citation	Yak 94
KCHS16301	-	-	http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/masha-gordon-four-others-summit-nepal-virgin-peak-khangchung-shar/	-	-	-
KCHS16301	AAJ	Gordon, Masha	Kangchung Shar, Northwest Ridge from South, First Official Ascent	-	91:327 (2017)	-
KCHS16301	-	-	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201214219/Kangchung-Shar-Northwest-Ridge-from-the-South-First-Official-Ascent	-	-	-