Bad Weather Thwarts Karakorum Summit-Bids
Recent storms have shut down attempts on Broad Peak and K2.
On July 24, the well-known climber Kami Sherpa was injured on K2 from a falling rock. He suffered fractures in his shoulder, forearm and hand, but will make a recovery and is now back to safety.
He was climbing from advanced base camp to camp one. Kami, who has five children, lost his house during the spring earthquake in Pangboche. Alan Arnette will be raising funds to help Kami, visit his site here.
Recent storms on K2 slowed a number of expeditions and with no fixed ropes above camp three and a week of bad weather ahead, most teams are calling it quits for the season.
“The forecast is showing bad weather for the next seven days and we still don’t have fixed lines above camp three.
“It’s very possible that we might not even get a chance for a Summit attempt this season,” wrote Joe Ashkar for Madison Mountaineering.
On Broad Peak, some climbers attempted a summit push on Friday, but recently fallen snow accumulated between camp three and the upper col.
The trip that often takes less than five hours took over 10 and the team retreated. Other climbers have also pulled the plug on an attempt. Some teams are going to make an attempt on Sunday, but expectations are low.
On Gasherbrum I and II, a handful of climbers made it to the top, but many teams are abandoning their attempt.
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