K2 NW ridge Tall Mountain K2 Broad Peak expedition

Copyright© Billy Pierson

Chuck and Dave have camp 3 installed and are ready to go, assuming the weather breaks next week, look for summits....

Earlier: Reports are slow to come from Dave and Chuck as they make there way to K2.... (the action will come soon enough ....)

We started out counting the 25 kg loads and marking them for the porters. Dave and I went to the Internet cafe and worked all morning with the owner to refine the sat phone and laptop configuration. We returned to the hotel and started packing the jeeps for tomorrow’s departure to Askole, then the trek to base camp. Andy's missing bag was found, and it will be delivered tomorrow! What a huge relief!

We packed up the Jeeps - notice that we have everyone in the K2 team
T-shirts. These guys love them, and they have worn them everyday since receiving them. We all look pretty cool walking down the street.

Sayeed rounded up some Jeeps - notice the one we tricked out with a Ski Sundown sticker and a ski as a running board - then headed up to Sadpora lake. We followed the road up to above 13,000' and had box lunches, provided by Sayeed and the hotel, at the entrance to the national park. On the way down, we stopped back at the lake and took a boat ride to a small island where we did some bouldering. There is a huge hydro-electric dam and five turbine plants being built. I have not seen a project on this grand a scale in a while. Eventually, the water level in the lake will rise and cover the island. We were possibly the last humans to set foot on this spot.

Earlier: The K2 NW ridge Kazakhstan expedition is on! Chuck Boyd leads the expedition that includes among others 2 time Everest Summiter Dave Watson. The news:  Dave and Chuck are in an Internet cafe in Skardu right now. Tomorrow morning they head off to Askole and the trip to base camp..

More on Chuck: Chuck is expedition leader and veteran of 2 Karakoram expeditions including the frist ascent of Shipton Spire via the Baltese Falcon. Chuck is a certifed guide AMGA and an owner of a guide service.

Much more on these climbers soon...

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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