Broad Peak 2007 : Ivan is back !

From Broad Peak’s Base Camp 

Dear friends of Ecuador and the world. 

Greetings from Broad Peak’s BC at 4,850 m on the Karakorum mountain system, at the bottom of the twelfth highest mountain in the world.  I can finally write to you (you can’t imagine how I have wished it), just today, an hour ago, our packages have arrived after being lost and abandoned somewhere in the trip between Askole and this Base Camp.

The thing is that because of the great number of expeditions this year (16 in total) at Broad Peak, because of the fiftieth anniversary of the first ascent, the offer of porters has been very low under the demand, so a lot of expeditions have seen troubles with their schedules and capacities.  My computer, cables, phone batteries, etc., came in one of the several loads that were left waiting to get to BC, that is why my expedition teammates and I have been kept from inform you about the advance of the expedition to Broad Peak.

After this inconvenience I am back again with you to share what this new ascent to one of the fourteen highest mountains in the world will be.  During the next week you will also get the conclusion of my chronicles about the summit of Annapurna. 

With my affection, a hug from the Karakorum mountain system.

                        Caption: From my room at the hotel in Skardu,      gate to the Karakorum,   the first parts of the mountain system with the Indus river starting its long trip. 

Ivan Vallejo Ricaurte

EXPEDITONEER 

Translated from Spanish by Jorge Rivera

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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