G2 2005: The first Baltic States Karakorum expedition – G2: First Baltic Karakorum Expedition: retreat before Camp 3.

Update 7/14/2005: First Baltic Karakorum Expedition: retreat before Camp 3.

Sad but true. We had to retreat back to the BC. We were fixing ropes on the route to C3 but the backpack of the group leader Saulius Vilius fell down the slopes ca 500 metres. We spent some time searching for his things on the glacier and found the sleeping bag and mat, which can still be used. However, we lost the phone and this message is forwarded due to the courtesy of Argentinean team.

We will not give up yet, and will try to head up to C1 on Saturday, but it seems that the mountain does not want to let us up close and personal this time.

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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