After their long trek up the Baltoro Glacier, many teams arrived at the Broad Peak and K2 Base Camps this weekend. Using terms like arduous difficult and long – all appropriate descriptions for the trek in and an understatement for the trek out – the climbers telegraphed relief this section is over.
Relief and Apprehension at the End
Its around 80 miles of walking on uneven ground, sometimes covered in ice, but mostly over light snow on loose tiny rock, aka scree. It can be unbearably hot, uncomfortably cold, walking in torrential rain or blowing snow, but the views are amongst the in the world. The Trango Towers, Masherbrums and other seemingly unclimbable peaks line both sides almost daring the trekkers to dream of becoming climbers – and that is their goal, to climb some of the highest peaks on earth: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II.
As they turn the corner at Concordia, a simple spot at the end of the Baltoro Glacier and the beginning of the Godwin-Austen Glacier, on a clear day they see K2 standing high dominating the view – its a moment of excitement, pause, reflection and flat out fear.
The final miles to K2 Base Camp is made in silence, or quiet talk of the task ahead. Minds are filled with memories, family and dreams.
Mike Horn and team, already there for several days report overcast skies with snow but today they enjoyed a clear day. He Tweeted this image:
Billi Bierling, with Himex and climbing Broad Peak, Tweeted:
Arrived at Concordia in the snow. Broad peak beautifully towering above us with K2 in the background.
More to Come
Other teams are just now leaving Islamabad to begin their treks to base camps. With well over 125 climbers on K2 and a large number on the other peaks, those early to arrive should enjoy their solitude, it won’t last long!
Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything
8 thoughts on “K2 2015 Coverage: Teams arrive at K2 Base Camp”
Hi Alan,
great to see you are also covering the K2 expedition starting right now! I have a friend in the Sevensummittreks team going up this year. Do you have team info like you do on Everest every year as well? We are doing a special expedition next year which I will share by email soon with you!
Thanks again for the great job!
Milan
Thanks Milan, No, I won;t be keeping a detail location log for the teams as in general K2 and Karakorum teams don’t publish a lot of information. Also, K2 temas normally are fairly quiet. It’s only recently that some climbers (like me 🙂 ) did almost daily posts with their progress. But I’ll do my best to note their locations in each post.
HI Alan This is Afzal I Am From Pakistan I Am Intersted To Climb K2 PLz Give me Chance Because This Is My 1st Time
Thank you , Mr. Arnette, for the great blogs and past coverage of your adventures with great photos and clips.
Yes, Alan has become a phenomenon to follow. Have fond memories of your K2 experience, your detailed description and a special personal touch.
I wish all the teams good luck
And a big thank you, Alan.
Thank you Asim. I wish everyone this year the same great weather we had last.
Hi,
You are doing a great job. Thankyou and keep it up. I wanted to report a mistake. The glacier leading up to K2 is called Godwin Austin which you named as Goodwin Austin.
Amad – keeping me honest! Should I hire you as my editor 🙂 🙂
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