Last year Michael Royer, Matthew Traver and Daniel Clark travelled to the Djangart region of Kyrgyzstan. The team climbed three previously unclimbed peaks in the relatively "off the radar" area before returning home. This summer, inspired by Royer's report in the American Alpine Journal, three teams travelled to the Djangart and made first ascents of eight mountains.

Recently Alpinist.com was able to talk to Mike Royer about the Djangart, exploratory alpinism and the consequences of publishing trip reports. Click in for the interview.

[Photo] Peaks in the Djangart, including Rakhmat (5144m) a peak climbed this summer by a team inspired by Royer's report. Mike Royer