Brief Update 21 August 2011 [Camp IV]:
Gerlinde, Maxut, Vassiliy and Darek reached Camp IV (about 8,000m) at 4.30pm this afternoon. The weather was perfect the whole day, however, they had to break trail in deep snow. Their equipment is dry and the weather forecast is looking good for tomorrow. They are all in good spirits and are feeling pretty confident about their summit attempt.
Please, continue to keep your fingers crossed!
Brief Update 7:30 pm ( Local Time)
The team has decided not to go for the summit tomorrow but to fix the traverse from the camp to the Japanese couloirs. They also want to check out the snow conditions in the couloirs due to expected snowdrifts.
They are planning on having a “rest day” tomorrow and try for the summit on Tuesday. The weather forecast remains good, also for Tuesday.
Warm Regards
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner’s and Ralf Dujmovits’ home team
© TEXT G.Kaltenbrunner/R.Dujmovits
Tommy has a close look to Vassily's totally destroyed tent.
Dear Friends
At midday today, I was finally able to talk to Gerlinde. She said that the wind had still been very strong and that Vassiliy, Maxut, Darek and herself had just reached a point above Camp III. At about two-thirds up the very steep bit directly on the pillar after Camp III, they had been wading through huge amounts of fresh snow and snowdrifts. They all sounded well, however, they were quite exhausted due to the strong winds.
Continue reading “7th Report – the International K2 Expedition to the North Pillar of K2” »
Brief Update, 19 August 2011 – Camp II (6,600 m):
After the four climbers had spent a very exhausting night in a small bivouac tent on the rocky shoulder between Camp I and Camp II, Gerlinde, Maxut, Vassily and Darek reached Camp II at 3.30pm Chinese time.
The conditions were extremely difficult and they had to wade through hip-deep snow in some parts. Snow conditions and trail breaking permitting, they will be climbing to Camp III (ca. 7,250 m) tomorrow.
Tommy Heinrich and Ralf Dujmovits have arrived at base camp safe and sound.
Warm Regards
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner’s and Ralf Dujmovits’ home team
© TEXT G.Kaltenbrunner/R.Dujmovits ; TRANSLATION: Billi Bierling
Brief Update 18 August 2011 :
Since about midnight last night until 4.30pm Chinese time, it has been snowing with only two hours of interruption. Gerlinde’s team is making very slow progress and are planning to bivouac on the rocky shoulder, which is situated about half way up to Camp II. Due to high avalanche danger, Ralf Dujmovits abandoned his K2 summit attempt at the bottom of the couloirs and returned to Camp I.
Brief Update 4.30pm (GMT)
Gerlinde and the rest of the team arrived at the rocky shoulder between Camp I and Camp II and will be spending the night in a small tent there. Four members of the team are planning to ascend to Camp II tomorrow. In the late afternoon, Tommy Heinrich also descended to Camp I and will be going down to base camp with Ralf.
Warm Regards
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner’s and Ralf Dujmovits’ home team
© TEXT G.Kaltenbrunner/R.Dujmovits
Brief Update 17 August 2011 :
Gerlinde, Ralf and the rest of the team are staying at Camp I (5,300m) for another night. Due to yesterday’s heavy snowfall and the potential avalanche danger that comes with it, the team decided to wait before ascending to Camp II (6,600m).
Today, a good amount of the fresh snow has already come down and the team is pretty confident that they will be able to climb to Camp II tomorrow. The weather forecast has not changed and still predicts dry and stable weather for the end of the week.
The itinerary for the summit attempt allows for an extra day on the mountain, which means that Sunday will remain their summit day. We will find out whether this plan will change or not in the next few days.
Warm Regards
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner’s and Ralf Dujmovits’ home team
© TEXT G.Kaltenbrunner/R.Dujmovits; TRANSLATION: Elke Luginsland
