G2 2005: The first Baltic States Karakorum expedition – G2: Camp 1 and moving up!

Update June 27, 2005: First Baltic Karakorum Expedition: Camp 1 and moving up!

The team arrived in Base Camp on June 20th and was immediately welcomed by an avalanche from G1 massif. BC is on a safe place, though, with superb views of G1 and G2.

There were two other teams: British and Korean in BC already, however, no-one had made it through the icefall of South Gasherbrum Glacier yet, though both teams had tried.

The Baltic team started to make their way through the icefall on June 22nd in cooperation with Korean team. They did not reach C 1 and stopped for the night at about 5500m. “The heat was awesome; we spent the day in underwear with snow stuffed into our hats!” After spending the day on a “frying pan” they decided to retreat to BC on June 23rd, to celebrate the Midsummer’s Eve properly.

The team continued to push through the icefall on June 26 and after 7 hours of hard climbing they reached C 1, along with the British and Italian team. The group leader Saulius was the only one who felt strong enough to assist  Italian team with fixing the ropes further up to C 2.

On June 27 three members of the group installed more ropes, up to the altitude of ca 6300m. They will decide tonight whether they will continue pushing to C 2 tomorrow or will retreat to BC.

To those at home, worrying about heavy snow conditions and avalanche alerts the team would like to say: “don’t worry, there is indeed lots of snow here, but it is not anything too dramatic. It is normal, regular mountaineering in slightly snowier conditions, but we are from north and thus used to snow, we love it; it is the heat that is killing us here, not the snow.”

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.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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