Trekkers attempt Iraq's highest peak in March 2012

In March 2012 a team from Secret Compass will mount the first commercial expedition to climb a little known mountain in the Iraqi Kurdish mountains. It is a bold attempt on the country's highest mountain only summited twice previously in a remote area bordering Iran. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) December 16, 2011 - Most people will assume that the team have a death-wish. Or at least a kidnap-wish. In 2011 four Americans were released after nearly two years languishing in an Iranian jail after being accused of spying in Iran. In fact they were naïve young hikers who got a bit lost. The prospective British team, led by Jon Beswick insists that they will not fall into the same trap.

"For one, I have climbed the mountain before and know the way, so we won't cross the unmarked border into Iran. Secondly, we will have an escort from the Kurdistani army giving us protection and authority."

Beswick, who made the first ever winter summit of Cheekah Dar- which translates as 'Black Tent'- is an impressive figure. At only 29, he has made a circumnavigation of Africa, climbed numerous peaks on all the continents and is making an unsupported attempt on the South Pole in January 2012.

Iraq's highest peak is 3611 metres and sits on a high jagged ridge that forms that natural border with Iran. It is a relatively straightforward mountain to climb and isn't technically difficult and therefore an expedition of this kind is open to anyone with a bit of trekking experience and a sense of adventure.

'We specialise in undertaking expeditions to post-conflict zones' says Secret Compass expedition leader Lev Wood, who himself has led teams in Afghanistan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Colombia. He has travelled extensively in Iraq and Kurdistan during the allied invasion in 2003.

'It is a beautiful part of the world and virtually undiscovered - due to Iraq's reputation for bloodshed.' He says with the air of someone who knows what he is talking about (He was also an Officer in the British Army). 'The expedition will fly into the Kurdish town of Erbil and take a bumpy 4WD through the eastern plains towards to the Zagros mountains and take a total of eight days to summit and return. It will be an arduous trek but the snow and scenery will be breath-taking and more than compensate. Plus - how many people can say they have climbed Iraq's highest mountain?'

EDITORS NOTES. Secret Compass are currently looking for adventurous people to join the expedition team. The dates are set at 10-18 March. Places are limited and interest is high. Secret Compass is a pioneering expeditionary company. Set up by ex-Parachute Regiment officers, it conducts exploratory expeditions to remote regions and post conflict zones. See www.secretcompass.com for more details.

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