A team of adventurous travellers has just reached the summit of Iraqi Kurdistan's highest peak, Mount Halgurd (3,607m), in a pioneering expedition led by UK-based Secret Compass. 

Mount Halgurd is the highest peak in Kurdistan and the Zagros ranges. It is also the highest mountain wholly within Iraq (Cheekah Dar is reputedly 4m higher but straddles the Iranian border, rendering it unclimbable for political reasons).

“Everyone is thrilled that our 12-strong group of teammates and leaders reached the summit,” said Kerry O'Neill, communications director at Secret Compass, adding, “it's fantastic to see such positive news coming out of Kurdistan.

“On this epic expedition, our teammates really got behind the headlines and under the skin of a place that's usually in the spotlight for less positive reasons. We hope that our teammates will speak widely of the realities of life in Kurdistan once home.”

Phil de Beger, the expedition professional who led the effort for Secret Compass, said, “We had two teams in country in 2017 with the goal of reaching the summit of the region's highest mountain and exploring the nearby Zagros ranges.

“Weather and snow conditions meant that our March team fell short of the summit. Our April team, which returned on 9 April 2017, had the weather on its side and achieved its goal.”  

Highlights of the Iraqi Kurdistan expedition

• Summit Iraqi Kurdistan's highest peak, Mount Halgard.
• Explore the rugged and remote Zagros ranges.
• Trek and wild camp in a true mountain wilderness.
• Visit a remote region with no tourist infrastructure.
• Experience first-hand Kurdish life and hospitality.

Departing next: Georgia and more

Secret Compass is planning several summer expeditions, open to applications from fit and active adventure travellers keen to achieve the extraordinary. No experience is required. Teams include:

• April: Madagascar trek and raft expedition to cross the island from peak to sea.
• May: Georgia expedition to learn Alpine skills while trekking Mount Kazbek (5,000m+).
• July: Panama jungle expedition to cross the notorious Darien Gap rainforest.
• July: Afghanistan trekking expedition to explore the remote Wakhan Corridor.
• July: Iceland expedition to learn hill skills while trekking the iconic Laugavegur Trail.
• August: Greenland expedition to claim some 'first ascents' in the wild east of the island.
• August: Nepal expedition to trek towards Tibet on a yak migration with the Dolpo Pa.
• August: Kamchatka volcano expedition to trek this wild and pristine Russian peninsula.
• September: Sinai expedition to cross the southern deserts in minimalistic Bedouin style.

With its military background, expedition company Secret Compass is renowned for offering expeditions and adventure travel to countries eschewed by most operators due to their remoteness, post-conflict reputations or inaccessibility.

Expedition styles range from mixed-terrain trekking and minimalist desert traverses to packrafting, whitewater rafting and horseback expeditions.

Secret Compass expeditions are grouped into adventure themes. These are Classics Redefined, Epic Expeditions, Adventure Academy and Cultural Immersion styled adventures. The company welcomes applications from any adventure travellers with a good level of fitness who's keen to achieve the extraordinary in the world's wildest places.

For further press information, visit the press page or contact communications director Kerry O'Neill on 0207 096 8428 or via email info@secretcompass.com. 

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Notes for editors

Secret Compass
Secret Compass redefines what is possible by creating pioneering projects in the world's wildest places. Secret Compass is built around a team of trusted experts who combine a passion for exploration with industry-leading professionalism. Secret Compass reignites your primal need for adventure, providing the catalyst for you to come alive and achieve the extraordinary. Upcoming destinations include Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan, Burma, Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan, Madagascar, North Korea, Panama, Siberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Chad and the southern Sinai.

Secret Compass for TV, film and brand projects
Secret Compass is trusted by production companies and brands to create and capture the extraordinary in remote and wild regions thanks to its unrivalled location and risk-management expertise. Credits include location-managing Channel 4's Walking the Nile and Walking the Himalayas series, alongside projects for the BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. Brand clients to date include Mitsubishi, Sony, Nespresso, Giro, Xbox and Jagermeister.

www.secretcompass.com
info@secretcompass.com
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