The spell is broken: Crowds of climbers expected for K2 in 2005
Nov 19, 2004 17: 14 EST
If you expected K2 to quiet down after the 50th Anniversary, you are up for a surprise. The spell is broken and the mountain is changed – forever perhaps.
Some climbers postponed their attempt last year, due to the expected anniversary crowds. “This is perhaps the worst year to attempt K2. It will be in the same place next year, after all” said Damian Benegas.
And so they are off next year. But they might not meet the solitude they were biding for.
The broken spell
After two seasons without a single summit, summer of 2004 was a record year on the mountain. New strategies, fixed ropes, use of O2, improved weather reports…got close to 50 climbers to the top of the "Mountaineer's Mountain".
There was even a woman climber, Edurne Pasaban who, not only summited, but also lived to tell. Now, more female climbers will try to add K2 to their 8000ers list.
Russians, Spanish, Norwegians
Russian Snow Leopard Marina Ershova is leading a Russian team, currently open to new members. Another international team is asking for potential climbers and sponsors to support a future expedition to K2 from the North Side, departing form Kirguizstan in June 2005.
From Spain, expeditions include an Army team and others from Andalusia (Southern Spain). A Norwegian team is off as well, recent Everest summiteer Cecilie Skog will be part of that team.
That’s several women right there, and it’s only November. 2004 was more significant for K2 than anyone could have imagined. The spell was broken as human ingenuity tamed another frontier. Now climbers hurry to add the Savage Mountain to their books.
Image of Climbers on the Abruzzi route, courtesy of AndaluciaK2.
|
|
Feature Stories |
|
Latest News |
more news |
 |
ExWeb Interview: Damian Benegas - Return to a Dangerous Land
Full Story
|
 |
ExWeb Interview: Manuel Gonzalez - Turning to the Gasherbrums to h
Full Story
|
 |
Menno Boermans: Frozen images from Broad Peak
Full Story
|
 |
K2 2005: Base Camp Clinic!
Full Story
|
 |
K2: Americans for 2005 SSE Ridge Alpine style attempt
Full Story
|
 |
Karakorum climbing permit Sale to continue!
Full Story
|
 |
Silvio Mondinelli/Edurne Pasaban Nanga Parbat 2005
Full Story
|
|
|
| Ireland K2 expedition leaving town Sunday Jun 3, 2005 | | Avalanche alert in Pakistan and media reports of 2005 causalties Jun 2, 2005 | | Vikings for Pakistan sky descents! Jun 1, 2005 | | Russians for K2 West Face first ascent May 31, 2005 | | ExplorersWeb Week in Review May 30, 2005 | | Pakistan's last images of Chinese/Tibet expedition May 28, 2005 | | China/Tibet's great loss - Rena dies, Bianba Zaxi seriously injured May 28, 2005 | | China/Tibet Gasherbrum expedition caught in big avalanche May 28, 2005 | | Simone Moro's Batura II expedition: “Thank God Alpinism is anything but dead,” part 2 final May 26, 2005 | | Simone Moro's Batura II expedition: "Thank God alpinism is anything but dead" part 1 May 25, 2005 |
| | Iridium: "Invalid battery - matches found, 0" May 24, 2005 |
|
|
