Here are the blog posts from the K2 expedition in 2008. This is a mix of ‘official’ expedition posts and posts from my personal blog. I did manage to list them chronologically but you’ll still have to do a bunch of clicking to read through things.
Leaving for Skardu
On Saturday (June 14) we hope to depart Islamabad after several days of preparations. Members began arriving on Monday and Chhiring will arrive from Nepal late Friday night. Paul Walters will be coming in about 10 days after us. While the weather in Islamabad has been typically hot, we have kept our cool through the generous support of Warid Telecom. …
Leaving for Askole
We plan to do the 8 hour jeep ride to Askole tomorrow, Tuesday the 17th. We flew to Skardu on Saturday and the weather has been hot and sunny. Today (Monday) we packed our loads for the trek and did our last minute shopping. Some of the guys went for a swim in the river below the Masherbrum Hotel on …
Whew!
Howdy! I’m finally giving myself two minutes to write. I’ve been busier than the proverbial one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. I hope to pour myself into a jeep tomorrow and leave behind most of the logistics that never seem to end. I’m finally over jet lag, but have little time for reflection or anything else. I’m getting used to …
Here we go!
Hi, I’m going to keep it short again. I’m fighting way too many technology battles. My brand new and expensive Thuraya 2520 sat phone now refuses to pick up the sat signal. It’s been nothing but trouble since arriving in Pakistan. You can’t use it in the USA because there is no satellite coverage. Luckily Chris K. has the same …
On the Trail
Greetings! If you’re reading this, our technology is working, at least in part. We are in Paiju, at 3300m just below the snout of the Baltoro Glacier. Today (Friday, June 20) is a rest day. This may seem silly since we’ve only been walking two days, but in reality we’ve been traveling for several days (first by plane, then jeep, …
Base camp
Hi, I posted a long summary of the team’s actions over the past week on the main blog. I haven’t won the technology battles, but I’m gaining an advantage. My phone will only acquire a satellite signal if it’s heated to 100 degrees F or higher! This makes life difficult. Also, my iBook has no idea how to regulate its …
At Base Camp
Let’s get everyone up to date on the last few days of the expedtion… June 21: The longest day of the trek leads from Paiju to Urdokas. We walk for 45 minutes and reach the snout of the Baltoro Glacier, which gives birth to the river which flows into the Indus. Most of the team is feeling the altitude, though …
Our Gear Arrives (and hopefully Paul too)
July 2: Our long-awaited cargo arrived yesterday. We had spent the past three days scanning the moraine below our camp for porters, much like sailors used to search for land from the crow’s nest of their ship. 4000m of rope, ice screws, snow stakes, pitons, and lots of other group food and equipment now crowd our mess tent. We expect …
Heading for ABC
July 2. Finally, our cargo arrived yesterday! I was missing about 1/3 of my gear and have been pretty much in a holding pattern until it arrived. I now have crampons, plastic bags, snack foods, oatmeal, and other items that prove useful on the hill. This afternoon I’ll head up to ABC (2 hrs, 300m up) for a night of …