alexander Ruchkin

Ruchkin, 42, was the technical force behind the 2004 first ascent of the north face of Jannu, part of the "Big Walls" the Russian Way" series of 10 first ascents envisioned by Alexander Odintsov. Ruchkin has been present for five of the seven routes completed, including those on the Troll Wall, Norway; Trango Tower, Pakistan; and Great Sail Peak, Baffin Island. This summer he will attempt the north face of Masherbrum in Pakistan.

Russian alpinists Alexander Ruchkin and Vyacheslav ‘Slava’ Ivanov were killed while attempting a new route on the south face of Huandoy Sur (20,209 feet) in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca.