Ladakh, India and the Mentok range

Dear friends,

I cannot begin this newsletter without first mentioning the tragic accident that occurred on 30 July on the slopes of Broad Peak in Pakistan, where an avalanche claimed the lives of ten climbers. I knew most of them, and it is always a profound shock when such tragedies strike on the world's 8,000-metre peaks. My thoughts are with all the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, with a special thought for Geluk Sherpa, with whom I shared so many moments in the mountains over the past years. He was also a close friend of Sangay and a valued member of the "Seven Summit family."

I have just returned from our expedition to Ladakh, in northern India. This remarkable region remains incredibly wild and unspoiled, where high mountain passes rise above 5,000 metres and the vast landscapes create a sense of space unlike almost anywhere else.

Our original plan was to climb Spangnak Ri, followed by Mentok II. Unfortunately, Bertrand, who was travelling with us, developed mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness. We descended to the village of Korzok, on the shores of Lake Tso Moriri, hoping that the loss of altitude would be enough to ease his symptoms. However, at 4,500 metres, it simply wasn't low enough. Bertrand therefore made the wise decision to return to Leh to recover.

The rest of us continued towards the Mentok Base Camp. Reaching the summit of Mentok II early in the morning, I quickly realised that Sangay and Dorjee had another plan in mind. They wanted to complete the full ridge traverse, continuing over Mentok III all the way to Mentok I (6,300 m)—a route Dorjee had never completed in its entirety before. It was too tempting to resist... so we went for it!

The descent along the technical ridge, in the heat of the afternoon, proved far more demanding than expected. Warm temperatures, already soft snow, and an endless unstable moraine before finally reaching base camp made for a long day. But we made it! 😊

A big thank you to Logzang and Khopong for welcoming us back with a wonderful meal at camp!

Lakes Tso Moriri and Tso Khar were undoubtedly among the highlights of the journey. Their remarkable preservation is largely due to the military zones surrounding them, which significantly limit tourism. The unique atmosphere, extraordinary light, and vast open spaces where we camped and met nomadic families tending their herds give this region a truly distinctive character. I can't wait to discover Bertrand's photographs—fortunately for all of us, he is a professional photographer!

Back in Leh, we headed towards Zanskar, where we visited several monasteries before spending a day on the Drang Drung Glacier, the largest glacier in the region. There, after our collections on Mentok, we carried out one final round of glacier sampling for the Baseline project.

My heartfelt thanks go to Dorjee and Jikmet for their warm hospitality—and for making possible a truly unforgettable gift. On the eve of our departure, we had the extraordinary privilege of being received in audience and blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who spends the summer in Leh. It was a deeply moving moment, one that seemed almost suspended in time and that we will carry with us for many years.

In the context of the painful events of the past few days, this encounter resonates even more profoundly, and my thoughts naturally return to all the families affected by the Broad Peak tragedy.

I wish you all a wonderful month of August, and I look forward to seeing many of you again after the summer.

Jullay, Jullay, as they say in Ladakhi...!

With my warmest wishes,

Sophie

To view the travel album click here

Photos credits : @Sophie Lavaud / Bertrand Carlier