Winter ascent of K2 failed

Artem Braun and his Team capitulate in front of the second highest mountain in the world. You finish your winter climbing attempt on K2 (8611 meters) – the mountain you've brought "to the limits of what is humanly Possible," writes brown after the fifth summit attempt via E-Mail from base camp.

In the new year's eve night, the 43-year-old Russian, and six other colleagues from Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan were flown to the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan, the last in the Winter inextricable eight-thousanders to climb. For their experiment they chose the Abruzzi Route, which is also celebrated in the summer from commercial suppliers. In the Winter, but the K2 has its own rules. With Braun's climb attempt, the fifth winter expedition fails now on the K2.

alone

made to disappear permanently strong West winds with top speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour were the Route always under a thick cloud layer. The lack of visibility forced Braun's Team finally, at an altitude of 7500 meters in reverse.

In Winter, even the supposedly easiest Route on K2 is a challenge. Already the search for a place to sleep is difficult. In addition, the mountain were climbers in the height alone. They used the help of carriers to the base camp, from there they carried the equipment, thousands of feet of rope to secure the Route and meals.

"The weight will appear in the Winter is much harder, because the conditions are so extreme," writes brown. Added to this is the "infinite cold", put the body in a permanent "chills". It was so cold that one night, in the Wind of the Frost from the tent walls and fell into the face. The biggest torment was but due to the extreme Exposure of the K2: "The Wind is like up there, a sand-blasting device, which can Living in a wipe out," he writes.

Two Pakistani mountaineers, who had been until recently part of the Expedition, had prematurely flipped.

A winter ascent is in the altitude mountain climbing, as such, if you are in calendar Winter, between 21. December and 21. March takes place. In a strict interpretation of the standard, the ascent should be even with the 28. February to be completed. The Basque Alex Txikon, will also run this Winter, a group on the K2, has not yet announced officially whether he gives up his attempt. On a question via Whatsapp on Sunday, he replied: "We still have time." Although he has spent the last few days on K2.

Because in the Nanga Parbat, 8125 metres, nine thöchsten mountain in the world, occurred at the same time a tragedy. The mountain is about 200 kilometers to the South-West in the Western Himalayas in Pakistan by K2. 14 days, any sign of life from Daniele Nardi (42) and Tom Ballard (30) was missing. The two extreme mountain climber from Italy and the UK broke down at the end of December to a winter ascent attempt of the Mummery-spur – an extremely demanding Route which is at risk as a very avalanche. You have always had to contend with storm and extreme snowfall. Two Pakistani climbers who had been up a few weeks ago, still part of the Expedition, had turned upside down for safety reasons in advance.

The rescue operation was, however, difficult. Bad weather, the tense border situation between India and Pakistan, as well as bureaucratic hurdles reconnaissance flights delayed on the mountain. To be offered at the beginning, Artem Braun and his Team your help. "We sat in sacks for three days to Packed ruck," he writes. But the organizers of the conclusion decided, finally, Alex Txikon, the 2016 managed the first winter ascent of Nanga Parbat, and three of his colleagues to Nanga Parbat to fail. You should scan with your drone to the field, to minimize the risks.

every Day, several avalanches went from

On Saturday, however, the Italian Ambassador, and the family Nardis said two of the Missing officially dead. Alex Txikon discovered with a telescope "shadow" above Camp three at about 5900 meters of altitude, which he identified, according to precise studies as the bodies of Daniele Nardi and Tom Ballard. A salvage this season is no longer possible, however, is in the opinion. It will become warmer, increasingly, every day, several avalanches went. What exactly had happened on the mountain, you can find out in the next Winter or never.

As it is now for Artem Braun and his climbing colleagues? "First we go home to our families, and then we'll see," he writes. A new attempt at the "Savage Mountain", the indomitable Wild among the eight-thousanders, does not exclude it at the present time. If you have not yet Alex Txikon. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 11.03.2019, 15:40 Uhr