G2 2005: The first Baltic States Karakorum expedition – G2: It is great to get off our asses and start moving finally

Update June 13, 2005: The Baltic team joined its forces in Islamabad on June 8th. Estonian members of the team missed their connecting flight in London and spent a few days chilling in pubs, before the real ordeal.

The team left Islamabad on June 9th, after two days of exhausting bus ride on scenic Karakorum Highway they arrived in Skardu on June 10th and took a day off for resting and some last minute shopping for supplies. Among other things the shopping list included piles of cigarettes (Alar Sikk, the first and only Estonian Everest summiteers is a devoted chain-smoker) and garlic (believed to be the best medicine in remote parts of the world).  

A bumpy jeep ride took them to Askole, where they spent the first night in tents. Officials informed them that there are already 3 expeditions on their way to the BC of G II: Koreans, Italians and Argentineans.

The Baltic team started the trek to the BC on Monday morning in good spirits.

“It is great to get off our asses and start moving finally”, says the team, “we expect to reach BC before Midsummer’s Eve, to celebrate it”.

Updates

Background: The expedition members arriving to Islamabad at June 5. There are some changes in the team. Previously Latvians and now some Lithuanians couldn't find the money and are not going to Pakistan but the rest of the team decided to continue.

The final number of the members – 5.:

 Saulius Vilius  - the leader (Lithuania), Darius Paulauskas

(Lithuania), Alar Sikk (Estonia), Tarmo Riga (Estonia) and doctor

Priit Melnik (Estonia). Last week team had a meeting in Tallinn (except Darius Paulauskas who at the moment is working in Paris) and discussed last details of expedition. Now they will meet only in Islamabad, because Saulius Vilius is leaving from Vilnius, Estonians from Tallinn and Darius Paulauskas from Paris.

Background: This summer alpinists from Lithuania and Estonia together will go for Gasherbrum II. Climbers from these countries are planning common expedition in the Karakorum Range for the first time since the re-establishment of the independence.

Team is arriving to Islamabad 5 June. The expedition is led by Everest summiteers Saulius Vilius from Lithuania. He also organized Lithuanian expedition to Shishapangma last year. The other members are: Eugenijus Simanauskas (Lithuania), Ramunas Alisauskas (Lithuania), Arturas Bazys (Lithuania), Darius Milasius (Lithuania), Alar Sikk (Estonia), Tarmo Riga (Estonia), Dr. Priit Melnik (Estonia).

Team is planning to climb to G2 by classical route.

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