Podcast Interview with Kristin Harila
Norwegian Kristin Harila, 37, Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa summited all fourteen 8000ers in three months and 1 day (92 days.) The first was Shishapangma on April 26, 2023, and the last K2 on July 27, 2023. In 2022, Harila summited twelve of the fourteen, but China refused them entry into Tibet to attempt Shishapangma and Cho Oyu thus, she returned this year to complete her project.
Harila’s journey was not with controversy. They included switching teams and Sherpas from 2022 to 2023, using helicopters to fly Sherpas to Camp 2 on Manaslu, and the one that caught global attention when a High Altitude Porter, Muhammad Hassan, not climbing with her team died on K2. Her team gave aid, but he died. A video taken hours later showed other climbers, not Harila’s team stepping over the dead body on the way to the summit. Harila was widely criticized for his death, yet her team did everything to save his life.
The Pakistani government investigated the incident and posted a detailed report clearing Harila’s team of any wrongdoing and gave her photographer, Gabriel Tarso, an “appreciation letter” for his effort to save a life that night. We explore all of these controversies in detail in this podcast. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: Harila and Tenjen Cleared on Muhammad Hassan’s Death
The Pakistani government has issued an exhaustive report on the July 27, 2023, death of Pakistani High Altitude Porter, Mr. Muhammad Hassan. While no one team or individual was found culpable, it exposed deep issues across the mountaineering industry that must be fixed.
It is sad and interesting reading that didn’t find any one person or team solely responsible for his death but haphazard coordination among the operators, ignoring long-established Pakistani climbing rules, and a lack of training and resources. All complicated by a sudden storm at the steepest and most dangerous terrain of the mountain. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: Sherpas Dominate K2
The K2 season appears to be over, with an estimated 112+ summits by at least six teams. Multiple teams turned back on their summit push due to unstable conditions. Each of Pakistan’s five 8000ers saw summits this summer in what could be called a “difficult weather” season. On K2, it felt like there was only one suitable weather window, July 27, and it was mixed. All of the K2 summits used the Abruzzi (SE Ridge) route. At least one team is still planning on a Broad Peak attempt.. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: 1 death, Many Turned Back, Many Summited
It was a difficult night and day on July 27, 2023, on K2. There is at least one reported death. Several teams pushed through, while others felt it was a death trap to summit, and some turned back. A few will try again as the inventory of aspirants clears out. K2 lived up to her reputation. Around seventy people summited. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: Kristin Harila & Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa get K2 for their Last 8000er
We have K2 2023 summits by the rope team and Kristin Harila with Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa for their last 8000er in 3 months, 13 hours. A massive number of climbers are still to go as long as the weather holds. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: Summit Push is On! Harila on Her Last 8000er Push
Garrett Madison of Madison Mountaineering reported his team is on their summit push, hoping to top out on July 27. They will be following the rope team to the summit since they have been delayed by heavy snow the past couple of days. Look for over 150 people to summit if the weather holds, with perhaps another 150 stationed lower on the mountian. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: Poor Weather Stalls K2 Summit Plans
Not surprisingly, the weather has moved in, bringing white-out conditions to K2. The rope fixing team was supposed to summit today, Monday, July 24, but we haven’t received any updates. Look for a few days’ delay at this point beyond July 25-27, when most teams were targeting their summits. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: K2 Summit Push Begins, Kristin Harila gets #13
The time has come for teams to climb K2 from base camp to the summit. There are about 250 people on the mountain, so it will be interesting to see how potential crowds are managed at the limited campsites and traditional bottleneck areas. The weather forecasts call for consistent light snow with moderate winds; however, this peak is notorious for making its own weather, so nothing is off the table. The teams want to get the fixed ropes to the summit by Monday, July 24, 2023… #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: And the Summits Keep Going on BP, GI and GII
Record summits are happening all over Pakistan this summer, including Broad Peak, GII and even GI. Pakistan has joined Nepal is monetizing their 8000ers with record permits issued this season. Pakistan reportedly issued a record number of climbing permits this year, even after a record 1,937 visitors to the Northern Territories last year. This despite raising the permit for their flagship peak, K2, from $5000 to 12,000 for a seven-member group.. #k2023
K2 2023 Coverage: Harila and Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa get 12th, More Summits on BP and GI
The peak bagging continues with summits on Broad Peak, GII and even GI. Kristin Harila got her twelfth summit leaving Broad and K2 to nab all fourteen in three months. Teams have continued their acclimatization rotations on K2. #k2023