Baffin Island is home to many granite big walls. Photo: Mike Beauregard ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
A team of climbers heading for a big wall climb on Baffin Island will benefit from a fund set up in memory of a mountaineer who died 36 years ago on K2.
The British Sam Ford Fjord Expedition led by Jacob Cook will attempt a big wall climb on the Polar Sun Spire on the Canadian island.
The group was this year’s winner of the Nick Estcourt Award and will receive £2,000 to help with the project.
Top British climber Dave MacLeod will be among those tackling the peak, along with Calum Muskett, Alexander Buisse, Dave Rudkin and Ian Cooper.
A spokesperson for the award said: “With a team including world renowned outstanding rock climbers the objective is to free climb the fantastic Polar Sun Spire in the remote Sam Ford Fjord on the east coast of Baffin Island.
“These walls have been ascended by multi day aid climbs but this expedition plans to make the first free ascent. If successful their ascent will be a major milestone in this kind of mountaineering.
“In accepting the full challenge of the climb they will not be carrying bolts and will be aiming to make the ascent in a single push.”
Nick Estcourt died in an avalanche on K2 in 1978. Recipients of the award are decided annually. Applications must be received by 31 January. More details of the award are on the Nick Estcourt Award website.
