Five heading out

Five expedition members are leaving BC on the 23rd of July

21 July - decision time

Broad Peak has been summitted, K2 has been summitted, a few summits on Gasherbrum I and finally Gasherbrum II from China, from the north - why hasn't Gasherbrum II been summitted on the normal route? On K2 and Broad Peak and GI independent climbers have pushed very hard, very very hard, in bad conditions, summitting in strong winds and snow. The only time the commercial teams pushed hard on GII, one team was avalanched. Some seasons have better weather, in general, others like this year, are much tougher.

Our long range forecast isn't optimistic, and if there is more snow on Gasherbrum II it might take some time for the mountain to become less dangerous, less avalanche risk - and it is currently snowing... So Ian, Kees, Adrian and Clive and Catherine are going to start trekking down on the 23rd. They will probably reach Skardu (and email) on the 27th or 28th of July.

The rest of the team, Tia, David, Søren and myself are staying - the forecast might possibly change? Yes, we are hopeful.

Snowing, 21 July, the view from our dining tent; the Hungarian BC manager,
in fleece and the successful Hungarian GI summitter with the pack - Jamie