Broad Peak 2013 - Waiting Days in Skardu

Skardu Days

Our team is headed off to Askole tomorrow after a bureacratic delay due to the permitting process. A process which seems to a new challenge each year and one that requires patience and a willingness to accept the inevitable challenges of climbing in a military zone. I wrote a year ago about the process and commented on the fact that unlike many for countries, to climb in Pakistan is not something one can decide a few days ahead, get a flight, pack your gear and go. There are many weeks and often months worth of documentation, emails, visits to embassies and ministries and even then small things that need to be worked out on a personal level in Pakistan. Shortly they will be off in 4x4's and headed for the trail head and all of the paperwork will be left behind!

In the meantime they have enjoyed a few nice days of the past days including walks about town, hikes in the nearby hills and are all feeling well and gaining acclimatization to 2500m/8,200ft. Scott sent in a few images of their days and we hope you enjoy! 

The Indus from the hotel in Skardu

Supper at the Concordia Hotel in Skardu

On the ride from Islamabad to Skardu

Ron on a day hike above Skardu

Scott at his day hike high point!

Ron and Gunga on the day hike

at the ministry waiting, waiting waiting!

Gunga, the first mongolian woman to summit Everest

With Gunga

Broad Peak 2013 update - Skardu Acclimatization Day

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Broad Peak 2013 - Skardu!

FTA Broad Peak 2013 in Skardu - John, Brian, Ron and Scott

Gear Day

The team arrived late yesterday afternoon and after a good sleep had a very busy day today which included gear checks, shopping, packing and repacking. Among the many things they have done today are setting up tents and checking them to be sure they are in good shape, sending out for repairs those that need a little TLC, testing stoves and fuel to make sure there will be no flareups on the hill, checking and testing the emergency oxygen systems, replenishing the med kit and checking over the repair kit, setting up the solar panels and charging up the Sherpa 50, picking up batteries and spare toilet paper, selecting a few dynamic climbing ropes and route fixing gear, and meeting the military liason officer (LO) who will be joining our team to base camp (and maybe up onto the hill).

Broad Peak 2013 update - team checks in from Skardu

Mobile Device users:
Please note ipadio is flash-based so you may not be able to hear them here on your mobile devices like iPhones and iPads. We are looking for a fix and hope to have one shortly!

 In the mean time you can hear them on your mobile device by visiting our channel on the ipadio site itself: FTA Audio Dispatches on ipadio

Broad Peak 2013 under way!

En route to Skardu

Our Broad Peak team has assembled over the last few days in blistering hot ( 43°C /110°F ) Islamabad. After a few days of visits to ministries for visa extensions, trips back to the airport for delayed luggage, and a little sightseeing, they have headed for the cooler climes of Skardu at 2200m/7300ft.

The mighty Indus River seen from the Concordia Hotel in Skardu © Brad jackson

Skardu is a relaxing but busy town and the jumping off point for most climbers and trekkers headed to K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum II, Nanga Parbat and Spantik. FTA's Dave Hancock has posted a fun tour of the town by motorcycle and we invite you to join him for a short tour so you can get the feel of the town:

Join FTA's Dave Hancock for  a motorcycle ride in Skardu