Mingma was on K2 last winter and has extensive experience. He sent me this exclusive update:<\/p>\n
On 21st DEC we put our crampons first time in this EXP. Yesterday we fixed line to camp2. Today we will descent back to bc for a few days rest. Then plan for further load transpiring.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
K2 Abruzzi Route Map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Updates on the other teams for Winter K2:<\/p>\n
Seven Summits Treks<\/a>\u00a0(SST) with 55 members (27 clients, 28 Sherpas)<\/h3>\n
Blue Sky Tours<\/a>, their Pakistani logistics provider said:<\/p>\n
\nInternational SST Winter K-2 Expedition 2k20-21.\u00a0Today our expedition leader Mr. Chhang Dawa Sherpa along with 17 clients reached Skardu.\u00a0Warmest welcome to them from the whole blue sky family and we are praying for our expedition success.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nAnd Dawa Sherpa<\/a>, co-owner of SST and leader of their expedition provide some details on the definition of winter:<\/div>\n\n\n\nFinally the whole international SST winter K2 team 2020\/21 reached Skardu. Officially our expedition started on the 21 December and is estimated to end around 3rd week of February. On the Astronomical calendar winter starts on 21 December, however the metrological calendar says winter starts on 1 December. To avoid controversy we decide to start what is believed to be winter on both calendars.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOur first team of 8 Sherpa (3 rope fixing +5 group Sherpa) reached to the K2 Basecamp yesterday. They will start preparing Base Camp for the main group and quickly after this start preparing the route on the mountain. All teams on the mountain, those already there and those still arriving will work together to have maximum chances, there is no competition between teams! We are all family in the mountains!<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIcelander John Snorri Sigurjonsson<\/a>\u00a0with two Pakistani climbers\u00a0Muhammad Ali Sadpara<\/a> and his son Sajid Ali. Aschar Ali Porik of Jasmine Tours<\/a> is providing the logistics.<\/h3>\n
He is at BC and has made one rotation to C1 while fixing ropes with and his son. John reports:<\/p>\n
\n\nToday it is sunny, -11 Celsius and it feels like heat wave, really nice. But the weather is still harsh in the mountain, so we are waiting. Weather update. 200 km per hour on the top of K2 next days and a great day to summit the 28th, but we are not ready then.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nJohn is right, low winds around 10 mph, reasonable winter temps at -33F! Downright mild for winter!!<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNirmal Purja<\/a>\u00a0is in Islamabad<\/h3>\n
He appears to have five Sherpas with him. Still unclear if he has any clients.<\/p>\n
Finally, with COVID, several members had their flights disrupted and will arrive late.<\/p>\n
Climb On!
\nAlan
\nMemories are Everything<\/p>\n
![\"K2](\"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/K2-Abruzzi-Route-Map-1-633x480.jpg\")