81. Nuam-Kuam via Eastern ridge (combined route, A. Gvalia, cat. 3B diff., see fig. 5, 19). From the initial bivouac on Ailaminskaya saddle (point 77) 5060 m ascend via large talus, then 20–30 m via steep snowy ascent (belay) on the Eastern ridge of Nuam-Kuam peak, between two rock ridges.

    Traverse 50–60 m up and left via ice-snow slope to approach the narrow snow-covered couloir of the Southern buttress of the I gendarme on the Eastern ridge of Nuam-Kuam peak.

    Ascend 80–100 m via moderately difficult, then easy rocks (“live” stones, pitons) on the right side of the narrow couloir onto the buttress. Further, 120–150 m via ice-snow slope — couloir on the left side of the Eastern ridge — bypass rock ascents and via snow-covered rocky Eastern ridge approach under the II gendarme, which is bypassed on the left via ice-snow slope (belay).

    Via snow-covered Eastern ridge (cornices) approach under the III gendarme and overcome it directly via moderately difficult rocks (belay). Behind it, 30 m via narrow ice-snow saddle (cornice, belay) approach under the IV gendarme and overcome it also directly via steep 50–60-meter snow-covered rocks of moderate difficulty (belay). Then 60 m via ice-snow (cornices) Eastern ridge under the summit ascent. Via moderately difficult rocks of the 40-meter ascent, then via 20-meter easy Eastern ridge ascend to the summit of Nuam-Kuam.

The route includes the following sections:

• Overcoming the III gendarme directly via moderately difficult rocks
• Passing 30 m via narrow ice-snow saddle (cornice)
• Overcoming the IV gendarme directly via steep 50–60-meter snow-covered rocks
• Ascending 60 m via ice-snow Eastern ridge under the summit ascent
• Passing 40-meter rock ascent of moderate difficulty
• Completing the route via 20-meter easy Eastern ridge

From the platforms on Ailaminskaya saddle — 6–7 hours.