Per Mare Per Tien

Whats It All About?

The Tien-Shan is one of the largest mountain systems in Asia. It extends about 2000 km in the latitudinal direction and is 400 km in width. Most of the ranges are typically alpine. Over 85% of the country is above 1000 m and 40% of the territory is above 3000 m. This relief was formed by two mountain systems the Tien-Shan and Pamir with the average altitude being 2500 m. Three summits of Kyrgyzstan are higher than 7000m, they are the peaks Pobeda (7439 m) and Khan-Tengri (7010 m) in the Tien-Shan and Lenin Peak (7134 m) in the Pamir.

The climate of Tien-Shan is sharply continental, i.e. hot summers on the foothills and valleys and cold in the Alpine zone. The winters are severe for this latitude with strong temperature fluctuations within a day and a year, cloudless and considerable dryness are characteristic features of this area. There is plenty of solar light, with an average annual duration of solar radiance amounting from 2500 to 2700 hours. The best climbing weather is August and September. Rainfall varies greatly from 200-300 mm to 1600 mm per year. Maximum rainfall is during the first part of summer. Total area of glaciers in Tien-Shan makes up 7300 sq km.

Despite political upheavals Kyrgyzstan remains a safe, democratic country with tourism as one of its main industries. Access is now quick and convenient with direct flights from Heathrow to Kyrgyzstan on British Airways, making it ideal for people who want to take part in an adventurous expedition to the greater ranges.

In theatre arrangements will be co-ordinated by ITMC throght the International School of Mountaineering under the directorship of Pat Littlejohn UIAGM. ITMC's director Vladimir Komissarov, was one of the leading mountaineers of the former Soviet Union and is now President of the Association of Mountain Guides of Kyrgyzstan. Vladimir and his camp staff, (some of whom are strong mountaineers in their own right) will be working with us throughout the expedition.