2000 K2 time
The candles really worked. Wilco, Cas, Gerard and Pemba are at the summit of K2!
All the way back to the source!
It is a very late at K2. We said it before and repeat it again. Now the most difficult part will start. The summit is only half way ! Light a fresh candle. We at K2BC Netherlands will start celebrations only if they are back safe in C4.
This was Wilco’s third attempt to reach the summit of K2. It’s Cas second time. Gerard just became the FIRST Irishman to become a K2-summiteer. This is Pemba’s first K2 summit.
I will take a short moment to take my breath and wipe some tears from my face.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Maarten
K2BC Netherlands
1600 K2 time – 1100 Irish time report
Cas picked up radio contact with Roeland in K2BC. Cas is the last in a row of approximately 17 climbers. They only have to go 400 meters to the top. Wilco is in front. Gerard and Pemba are both there. One or two Italians. Hugues is there and two Norwegians. The weather is perfect.
1145 K2 time report
Much to my regret I have to inform you that early this morning an accident occurred in the Bottleneck. The messages are erratic and chaotic but as far as I know now a (supposing) Serbian Climber fell several hundred meters down the Bottleneck.
I understand from Roeland that the Norit K2 team assisted in the accident, but are again above the Bottleneck and proceeding towards the traverse. At the moment I don’t have more information, because the communication is a bit chaotic on K2. We all have to wait for more information.
0600 k2 time report
Norit K2 members are complaining about cold feet, but it’s a fact they are moving much faster then expected. In fact they are ahead of schedule by two hours. Cas is observing some clouds in the valleys on the Chinese side of K2 and is wondering if they may become a problem. I think it’s a type of fog caused by condensation from the cold air down in the valleys. I will ask Ab Maas, our meteorologist and give him something to do tonight. You will find the original timetable below with all the major landmarks on the route to the summit of K2. Times will be given in K2 –time and NL-time.
(take in to account the accident with these times, prob 2-3hrs behind)
C4 start
NL-23.00—–K2-03.00
Bottleneck
NL-04.00—–K2-08.00
Top Bottleneck
NL-05.00—–K2-09.00
Traverse
NL-06.00—–K2-10.00
Start last climb
NL-08.00—–K2-12.00
Summit
NL-10.00—–K2-14.00
Back to C4
NL-16.00—–K2-20.00
Photo: Ger on K2 2008
