ON THE FIRST ASCENT OF THE SOUTH COUNTERFORCE OF THE WESTERN RIDGE OF PIK A. GRIN BY A GROUP OF CLIMBERS FROM THE KUYBYSHEV REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE “TRUD” SPORTS SOCIETY July 28–31, 1976

I. Introduction

Pik A. Grin (6525 m) is located in the upper reaches of the Fedchenko Glacier. Widespread mountaineering exploration of this area began in 1957 when participants of the “Burevestnik” Sports Society expedition, led by E. Tamm, made the first ascents of:

• Pik 26 Komissarov (6834 m), led by E. Tamm,
• Pik Parizhskoy Kommuny (6300 m), led by V. Benkin. The first ascent of Pik A. Grin was made under the leadership of V. Serebryakov in 1960 via the western ridge. Subsequently, this area was repeatedly visited by mountaineering expeditions. The most significant sporting achievements were made by expeditions led by L. Myshlyaev — the ascent of the north face of Pik Revolyutsii in 1961, and the traverse from Pik Parizhskoy Kommuny to Pik Grin, led by V. Ryazanov in 1964. In 1976, an expedition from the Kuybyshev Regional Council of the “Trud” Sports Society ascended to the upper cirque of the Fedchenko Glacier, with the following objectives:

1. First ascent of the western wall of Pik A. Grin, counting towards the USSR Alpine Championship.
2. Ascent of Pik 26 Komissarov via the western ridge, counting towards the “Trud” Sports Society Central Council Alpine Championship.