(this is a duplicate of the expedition blog entry) August 19: We’ve trekked for 2 days and have spent a lovely afternoon at Urdokas, my favorite spot on the Baltoro. Unfortunately it is being ruined by horse/donkey grazing; I spoke about that on the way in.
I left a cold and snowy BC yesterday morning. Deedar and I went to the Gilkey Memorial to pay our respects to our friends and fellow climbers who died this year. Maybe it was this visit, maybe it was the snow, maybe it was my boots, but I had an especially hard walk to the Goro II campsite. We left the Memorial at 10:45, I reached Concordia at 3:00, and finally reached Goro II at 6:30. A good meal and good night’s sleep (and a handful of ibuprofen) transformed me into a new man this morning. The walk was 4 hours and in my running shoes was much more comfortable.
My goal was to meet up with Roland Hunter and his trekking group, and they had lunch ready when I arrived. I’ve been catching up with Roland and talking to his trekkers this afternoon.
I should reach Skardu in three days (8/22). It’s ok to send email, though I might not get it until then. We have two long days (or 2.25 shorter days) ahead of us, but the walking gets progressively easier.
August 20: We walked almost 9 hours (with some stops) to Bardumal, which is usually a lunch stop between Jhula and Paiju. Tomorrow we end the trek (another long day). Yesterday I arrived at Urdokas about noon, and Roland’s trekking group was their. I mooched lunch, dinner, and breakfast and chatted with the members. For some reason, I couldn’t send any email so this is going out the next day (today). Confused? I am.
August 21: Computer problems. If you get this they’re fixed. Eight hours, uneventful, to Askole and the end of the trek. Goat and fries for dinner!
Mike