Broad Peak 2005
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Timeline: June 17- fly to Pakistan July 3- arrive at Base Camp August 1- depart Base Camp August 10- return to USA
Descriptions of the
60 mile trek to Base Camp
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The story: our dispatches start here
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Here's the route, with a bigger version here. |
From June 19 through August 10, I will be in Pakistan attempting the world's 12th highest mountain, Broad Peak (8,047m/26,401 ft). Broad Peak is located along the mighty Baltoro and Goodwin Austin Glaciers in northern Pakistan. Four of the world's 14 highest peaks are found within a few miles of each other, including K2 (the world's second highest peak). I will be climbing with Don Bowie. We will be climbing without supplemental oxygen, without guides, and without high-altitude porters.
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Many folks have asked about the political situation in Pakistan. While there are areas of Pakistan that are totally bad news, the main climbing areas have continued to be as safe for Westerners as anywhere in the world. The local inhabitants rely on expeditions for much of their yearly income, which helps. Last year I found almost Pakistanis to be almost uniformly friendly.
While this route is not technically difficult, the combination of weather and altitude mean that even for the world's best climbers there is no certainty of reaching the summit. Last year only 4 climbers made the actual summit of Broad Peak.
Safety
The main difficulty in climbing these peaks stems from the lack of oxygen in the air . However, many climbers are prevented from summitting by more mundane problems.
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Here's a conversion chart for those of you not metrically inclined
Meters= Feet This satellite image shows part of our trek from Askole |
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