Gasherbrum II 8035m - arrival

Didn't we just summit Everest? Yes, but now Jamie is in Pakistan about to start an expedition to the Karakoram.

14 June - fly Karachi, Pakistan

Was there enough time between expeditions? No, but with help from Dawa, Serke and Pasang Gombu, I only forgot a couple of things. Luckily my cargo is waiting to be shipped and so they can be added - and were added.

It is always nice to fly with friends, and Tarke and Chumic, who worked for the Korean Everest Expedition, joined me. They are heading to Broad Peak with two Korean women climbers. Tarke has of course summitted Everest with Project Himalaya last year.

The Pakistani hospitality started from the airport where it has just been announced that climbers are given an extra luggage allowance, and PIA treated us like royalty. PIA - Pakistan International Airlines - a stodgy Government-owned corporation is facing severe competition from nimble private domestic airlines and is changing its ways. I was pleasantly surprised, and the service had an easy familiarity to it.

15 June - fly Islamabad

It is nice to be back in Pakistan, and in a city with clean air. Unfortunately my visa has an additional stamp in it preventing me from going to Cantonments or military areas, and where we stay in Rawalpindi is one, so I am now in Islamabad, not where we planned to be. I guess that was payback at the Pakistan Embassy where they were kind enough to process my paperwork in three days, in the rush after Everest.

I already have a Pakistan Telenor mobile, +92 34493 51271, which works in the cities and towns, so until 22 June.