Every step today took me closer to K2, case it was not lost on me. As the clouds once again drenched us with rain we walked in silence for many hours auditing the person in front for proper step placement and following in suit when possible.
It was a game of leapfrog with the porters sometimes moving faster, then the mules, then the horses. When your sixth sense felt somebody behind you, you stepped aside to let them pass only to see them sit down a few minutes later.
About an hour from tonight’s camp at Paiyu, the clouds finally gave way to a bright sun. The snow on the nearby peaks reflected the radiant energy bringing new life to our human caravan. The pace picked up slightly but remained slow and steady as we gained more altitude. Now we are at 11,200 feet.
It was a good day.
There are many life lessons on these expeditions. As I arrived at camp, I sat down on a dry rock and thought about being here eight years ago. That was a difficult expedition for me in many, many ways. As I looked up at the sharp granite spires betraying the location of Trango and Nameless Towers nearby, I thought about my life since 2006. Much has happened.
Today, the thought of returning to attempt K2 leaves me with mixed feelings. The excitement is real and I know will become palpable in a few days when I see the K2 pyramid once again looming high over the Godwin-Austen Glacier. I anticipate an emotional moment.
But everything I feel now pales in comparison to what I will feel as we start climbing, what I felt watching my mom drift away, what I feel reading personal stories of hardship and grief from Alzheimer’s caregivers. Yes, life presents us with many challenges. I have tried to learn for my experiences to apply this time, this climb, this period in my life.
I hope I paid attention. Tomorrow, we step on the Baltoro Glacier.
Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything
21 thoughts on “K2: Lessons from the Trek”
As always, I am along for the ride/climb. Be safe!
I’m watching, listening, and reading with great anticipation!
This is my favourite video of the K2 expedition so far, since it doesn’t contain the words “Yeah, Baby!”.
Trek on!
Great Posts Alan. Keep em coming.
We will be treking to Concordia inshallah in a months time and your blog / videos will help us prepare mentally for what is about to come. Very inspirational. Good luck and hope for a safe and successful journey.
Hi Alan. Good Luck. Say Hello To Garrett. I Climbed Rainer With Him And Lakpa Rita Sherpa In 2008. He Is An Awesome Person. Be Safe I Look Forward To Every Post.
What an amazing reflection on life. You will look at the summit and realize all you have been through in life that this summit is not overwhelming. You have lived and survived much with greater things to come.
Be safe.. Be smart …Be Alert my forever friend!
Praying for your safety on K2, and Alzheimer’s s. Best wishes for you and your team on your climb of K2!
Thanks Alan for your videos, we feel we are also there,
manu
Alan,
Thanks for the frequent word updates and the (extra special) video postings….Your text words alone, (the way you put the words together).. was enough to tie me to your blog like contact cement… and now I get to hear your voice infection and see your eye view of what’s going on at the same time…. everything is stellar…
Glad all is good with you.. know I hold you in my heart… be safe and have as much fun as possible
L
N
Alan: You are so very generous for sharing your climb with us. Thank you!
Even with your focus on the climb and the cause, you take the time to just stop and take it all in.. You are living in the moment, just like my grandaughters have taught me to do.. I cant wait to hear every detail of your climb and the memories you have created!!! Climb on , Laura in OHIO
Alan,
Keep the video’s and updates coming, they are great to see.
As they say in Sierra Leone
“Little Little, Small Small”
and K2 will be yours :0)
Thanks for posting, Alan. Enjoying each post and video. Have shared your cause on Facebook and am encouraging folks to donate as well. Memories are everything – enjoy collecting them on this climb! Happy 4th!
L in CLT
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your K2 climb and life experiences
Alan, Thank you for sharing your journey with us – the #K2CureAlz climb and your personal journey. Those of us who are or have been caregivers know the challenges, the isolation, and the feelings of helplessness as we watch someone we love drift away. We also know the self questioning and the remorse – What could we have done better? I take comfort from the words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” None of us are perfect. It is always comforting to hear from a friend. As you reach out and talk to us on your journey, it reminds me of the kind and compassionate friends who reached out to me – and shored me up – during the long and difficult days of my late husband’s illness. Thank you for all that you are doing to shine a spotlight on this cruel and always fatal disease. Godspeed and Climb On!
Enjoy yourself Alan, and have a safe climb, and an even safer trip back
Alan, awesome and thanks for taking and posting the videos. I have a development team of 20 people in Lahore Pakistan and 2 with me in the states and we’ve been watching your posts at lunch and they are getting a real kick out of your travel in the “northern country” and very excited to see you doing this.
-g
Huge progress Alan, wow. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Great to read and see, along with the SPOT beacon.
Carry on my friend!
Joe
Your videos and fun insightful voice overs make it all much more real to me Alan. Your always thoughtfully written blogs along with almost live video commentary now puts me there with you so much more brilliantly!!! Have a meaningful 4th of July ..God Bless America..Ginny Lyford, Sunriver
Alan I really hope you are able to continue these videos and updates throughout your adventure, they are fantastic. It gives the rest of us a feel of what you’re going through, and hearing your voice instead of silent pictures gives us a sense of your meaning and passion. Be safe my friend.
Ginger
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