G2 2005: The first Baltic States Karakorum expedition – G2: First Baltic Karakorum Expedition: Update

Update: First Baltic Karakorum Expedition: if only we had 2 more weeks!

Despite numerous setbacks it took an avalanche to force us down from the mountain. First the group leaders back bag fell down below C3 and we lost some valuable equipment and all the means for communication. Then Alar fell three times (twice on a steep slope and once into a crevasse) and ended up with a swollen knee and pensive attitude “I have a feeling that she does not really want to get along with me this time, so why push my luck”, said the Everest summiteer looking at the beauty of G2 and lit another cigarette. Three tenacious members of the team planned to get back up on Saturday, July 16, but Saulius, who had suffered from high altitude cough for a while felt worse while sipping his morning tea at 2 am and after examining him Dr. Melnik strictly prohibited Saulius from going further up. Accompanied with cook’s assistant Mustafa he was sent down to Baltoro to recover. So the team was down to two members still willing to climb, “we could really have a use for some Latvians now” sighed the lonely team mates and decided that it was too dangerous for them to tackle the icefall alone (having Alar hanging in the crevasse for a half an hour had been a good lesson for them).

Tarmo and Darius joined with the Korean team on July 17 and went to C1 and also further up to C2. “We stood right behind Gerlinde when we heard a cracking noise and saw a huge avalanche next to us”. We retreated to BC today, will pack tomorrow and leave the BC on July 22. What a pity we don’t have another two weeks to wait for the snow to settle!”

Gerlinde retreated to C1, “she is an amazing woman, if anyone deserves the summit, it is definitely her”, say both guys in complete awe of feminine strength.

Korean team moved up and planned to set not only C3, but also C4 before the summit bid. “The weather may have beaten us this time, but we’ll be back and next time we’ll drag Latvians with us too!”

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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