The earth continues to shake around the Himalaya with a magnitude 6.5 earthquake in China’s far western region of Xinjiang. The epicenter was in a largely remote and sparsely populated area and about 100 miles northeast of K2. No damage was reported in China.
Billi Bierling, look climbing Broad Peak, which is a few miles east of K2, try reported excellent climbing conditions but also noted there were some avalanches on K2 that have stalled activity:
Going up to C1 and C2 for 2 nights. This morning saw a few avalanches on K2. Work there on hold for moment.
No one reported any incidents on K2, but climbers were scheduled to be at Camp 1 on the Česen route.
Meanwhile, climbing has finally begun on Gasherbrum I and II. Nick Rice had an “interesting” welcome as he set up his base camp for their Gasherbrum I climb:
The place we chose for our base camp was quite steep and required a great deal of effort to make level enough for the mess tent, kitchen tents, and our personal tents. We worked all afternoon on this, the effort made harder by the newly fallen snow and the fact that the stones were frozen in place. We were startled as mortar fire erupted from the army camp just across the glacier from us. It continued all afternoon and we were told it was for target practice and not to worry.
As for the teams still trekking, they report that it is hot, hot hot. Joe Ashkar noted:
A combination of high temperatures and very rugged terrain made for a difficult trek. Everything you hear and read about the trek to K2 base camp is real … Today was another day with temperatures in the 100s. We made our way from Jhula to Paiju in about 6 hours. I’m severely dehydrated but I’m OK; I started at a very fast pace this morning and should have slowed down when the sun hit.
Assuming the conditions allow, it is time for the fixed lines to be established on the multiple mountains then camps set up steadily reaching higher and higher altitudes. This will continue for several weeks.
Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything
