K2: A window?

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Update: The weather report from Pakistan: "K2/G1/G2-Weather (Avail this window of 2/3 days): Weather is clear, Upper Winds are still high but falling gradually. Sunday/Monday and almost Tuesday are much better, Try to avail this window of 2/3 days. Weather will be bad again on Wednesday/Thursday. Good Luck for All Climbers."

For the first time this season they call for a "window" on K2. Note this is K2 weather, NOT great weather, ASSUMING the weather holds a climber would still need to be fast and strong enough to climb in not great conditions and get back DOWN before the bad weather moves in. This is a very high risk sport...

No Climbers should depend solely on a forecast and must be aware of changing conditions, especially on K2!!!

Update 8/13/2005: The Kazakhstan climbers are moving to Camp 3.

Update 8/12/2005: The Kazakhstan climbers are in Camp 2 and are having dinner! It is warm with strong winds. The Polish climbers are coming up to join them and they plan to Camp 3 together.

The Pakistan weather forecast predicts: Upper Winds are still high (from SW) making weather bad, Wind likely to decrease gradually from Saturday. Sunday/Monday much better, even first half of Tuesday is also good. Weather will be bad again from Tuesday-Evening till Thursday-Evening. Good Luck.

Update: Kazakhstan climbers yesterday early morning started their summit bid. They were in Camp1 (reached yesterday at 12-30 local time). The Kazakhstan climbers are heading up to Camp 2. "The weather's still acceptable."

Update: Kazakhstan climbers are in Base camp resting. they are thinking of beginning the summit bid tomorrow or day after.

Update: K2: Will the Kazakhstan Expedition steal the show? (for our Russian readers, that is a good thing!)

The Kazakhstan Expedition has descended to base camp after their acclimatization push, which was quick work of the mountain after just arriving.

Update: No news in on the Kazakhstan Expedition, however it appears most of the others have turned back, some making it back to base camp and others still on the way down. The weather is forecasted to be bad until Tuesday, which is forecasted to be clear.

Update: The Kazakhstan Expedition appears to have moved out in front. After just arriving at K2, the team is climbing up to Camp 3. They said the way to camp 2 "was easy." Others are camp 2 including 2 Japanese climbers and others at camp 1.

Mick Parker is at Camp 2 helping others...

But the big news is the weather as always on K2:

So the concern will get getting down IF one reaches the summit. Unstable conditions, one must be very strong and fast..

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