[2] At the southern end of the ridge, the Mazeno mountain pass is 5,358 metres (17,579 ft) high and connects the towns of Astore and Chilas.

The third attempt, in 1995, involved Rick Allen, Wojciech Kurtyka and Andrew Lock, while Scott was unwell, and was successful in climbing the first three of the Mazeno peaks.

[7][8] The ridge was climbed in its entirety in 2004; a 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) traversal by US mountaineers Doug Chabot and Steve Swenson reached the Mazeno Col.

A summit attempt the next day proved unsuccessful and O'Dowd and the three Sherpas decided to descend via the Diamir Face.

They are assumed to have been swept away by an avalanche, as a tracker being worn by Zerain became stationary, 180 m (600 ft) below the ridge, until it ceased to function fifteen hours later.