K2: Magic Line awarded Spanish Golden Ice-Axe
Dec 15, 2004 16: 29 EST
The Spanish Federation of Climbing and Mountaineering have raised controversy in the past 2 years, refusing to give out their annual award due to “lack of good enough climbing”. But this year, the federation decided, was different: There was one expedition worthy to receive its annual award – the Spanish version of the Golden Ice-Axe. You guessed it: The K2 Magic Line!
From Pirates of K2 to Team of the Year
The designed best team of the year were no other than the five Catalan climbers who last summer made the first repetition of the Magic Line on K2: Jordi Corominas (the one who actually reached the top in an all-or-nothing summit bid), Jordi Tosas, expedition leader Óscar Cadiach, Manel de la Matta (who died during the descent from the last camp) and Valentí Giró.
The “Piolet de Oro” award has no monetary price attached, although some small grants are given each year to other outstanding climbs accomplished by Spaniards.
Manel de la Matta was awarded a post mortem “Creu de Sant Jordi” (Sant George’s Cross) medal reserved for outstanding people and dignitaries in Catalonia, where Manel lived.
No surprise
The price is not a surprise to anyone. Six months after the Catalan expedition raised the attention of the world climbing community (and left the entire staff of Explorersweb staff without sleep, following their steps night and day) virtually all K2 teams of last summer have pointed to the Magic Line guys as the most outstanding expedition on the mountain in its anniversary season.
Carlos Soria’s ascent documentary is dedicated to the team and especially to Manel. Juan Oiarzabal, the better known climber in Spain and also K2 summiteer last summer recently told ExWeb: ”And again, the media turns to me to ask about K2, as if our team was the only one on the mountain. This is unfair! Our expedition was not the one who did something great there. It was Jordi Corominas and the Magic Line team! Why don’t they ask them? They were the best of the season, that’s how it is.”
And now, what?
No news yet that the Magic Line team will be re-united in the near future. Jordi Corominas and Jordi Tosas are back ice climbing and guiding in Benasque (Spanish Pyreenes); Oscar Cadiach, has taken Manel’s place in one of the official Mountaineering and climbing schools of Catalonia, training future mountain guides. Valentí is back to a non climbing-related job in Barcelona.
Image of the Magic Line team celebrating Walter Bonatti’s birthday in K2 BC last summer, before the summit bid, copyright Magic Line K2 Expedition 2004.
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