K2 – Helicopters and rest day
To Camp 1 (FTA)
Throughout the day yesterday, Fabrizio led strongly up the slope. Tunc, Wim, Ron, the two high altitude porters – Roosel and Mohammed, and I supported; and the climb is now secured to 5850m. There is a lot of snow which is good because it means less rockfall. Fabrizio and Dave broke the ice on the glacier and took swims up to their wastes. I went in on the way back! Dropping into the icy, glacial stream, you only do once. Trouble is that it’s getting warmer and everything is melting. Still, the temperature has dropped today and the weather has deteriorated which makes drying kit out difficult. We hope the snow does not fall heavily again.
We had a rest day in base camp today while we rotated teams for carrying rope and fixing gear. Climbing conditions are good and we hope they stay that way so we can continue fixing the route up to Camp 3 at approximately 7300m.
Weight loss is always an issue at altitude but we are being well looked after by our cook team. In our cook tent, there is head chef Pidar, Kamil Jan, Shavan Ali, Sahib Alam – all from Humua. This morning we had oats and eggs – my best! We now wait patiently to see what the weather cooks up.
Tomorrow we leave to overnight at Camp 1 (approx 6000m).
Tags: Camp 1, K2, Military Helicopter, Sean Wisedale
Howzat Wiseman,
Glad to hear things are good and the push has begun in earnest. Mmmm,oats and eggs would do me good right now!! Lekr cold here in Bloem, -3 in the morning with 8 max. Some good weather to get the smelly-helis on and miss the mountains and be in spirit with you guys. Keep safe. Heinrich.
Fantastic. keep is up. Sean we will follow your footsteps all the way
I’m sure the last few days have been very sad and emotional. I guess that’s mountaineering for you. Hope the rest of the trip goes well and you all stay safe. Serious stuff aside I don’t think that even if I cud I wud climb K2 if one is forced to eat eggs and oats. Yuck!!!!
Looking forward seeing photo’s from the summit. All the way with you in our thoughts and prayers.
Hi Sean,
We are all very proud of you. Don’t let anything stand in your way to complete this expedition. Be strong and stay positive!!! We are with you every step of the way!
We pray that you have a safe journey and also for your safe return.
Hi Sean,
I found this picture in the internet with the different routes up K2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:K2_south_routes.jpg
I would like to know, which one will you be taking?
Great news Sean you are on your way up the Kopjie. BTW this blog has been getting tons of visitors 8,000 this week, hopefully all your friends will tell their friends and we can double that.
Go well
kind regards
Chris
ooops correct that I just checked and we are heading to 10,000 awesome!!!