Wednesday, June 22, 2011

FTA K2/Broad Peak 2011 - Broad Peak BC and all well!

From Stu in the USA Office
June 23, 2011

Chris has called in with an update from Broad Peak BC to let us know everything is going well! The team is taking a few rest days and planning to head up to C1 in 2-3 days. In the meantime they are reviewing fixed line movement, sorting gear and enjoying the peace and solitude of the mountains!




moving on some fixed in 2003 © stu remensnyder

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

FTA K2/Broad Peak 2011 - In Goro II today and on to Broad Peak BC tomorrow!

from stu in the usa office,
21 June 2011


Urdukas camp with the Trango Towers behind © stu remensnyder

Chris has called in from Goro II and left a great audio disapatch below. In it he shares the latest news from the K2/Broad Peak team. They had a great day trekking in from Urdukas and enjoyed a warm (25°C) day with superb views of Gasherbrum IV, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak and Masherbrum!

River crossing near Goro II © stu remensnyder



In a normal year our team would tromp on up to the famed Concordia camp site and then take a short walk the next morning to Broad Peak BC. For the first time that i know of there is insufficient snow in Concordia and the team will be skipping this campsite on their way to Broad Peak base camp. By the end of last season the snow loss was dramatically greater than in typical years. This was due in large part to the conditions that caused the horrific flooding across great swathes of Pakistan. It remains to be seen how this will play out on the 8000m peaks in the Karakoram and potentially may mean icier or rockier conditions on Broad Peak and K2.


View to Broad Peak from Concordia © stu remensnyder


have a listen in below to Chris's dispatch from Goro II!



We have already had a lot of emails for climbers interested in 8000m peaks for next season including Broad Peak, Gasherbrum II & Gasherbrum I,  Nanga Parbat & K2 for next summer so we expect to have quit a few of these climbs going! 

Spantik will be running in August and we do still have some spaces available and can accept new members til the middle of July. No better first 7000m peak that we know of as it is a full expedition and includes fixed line climbing, roped team climbing, a remote setting and a stunning 8km summit ridge!

Trekking to K2 BC is something that everyone should add to a lifetime list of great places to visit. We have a departure slated for August 1 each year and welcome avid trekkers and climbers!

If you are interested in joining us for a great trip to Pakistan drop us a note at "info@fieldtouring.com" and we'll send you all the info!

For more information on all trips please visit our site  www.fieldtouringalpine.com

Friday, June 10, 2011

FTA K2/Broad Peak 2011 getting under way!

June10, 2011
From Stu in the USA office

We have an exciting summer ahead with a team of 17 climbers, guides and HAP's headed to Broad Peak and K2. This trip will be followed up by another great trip to 7027m Spantik so stay tuned all summer!

The K2 & Broad Peak trip officially begins today with members from all over the world arriving in Islamabad though one of our guides, Tim Colquhoun, has been working hard getting gear ready in Skardu. He'll be assisting on Broad Peak and then leading the Spantik team so he's going to get to know the gear room very well!



When Tim has not been too busy with checking out tents, stoves, pts and pans he has enjoyed some travel around Skardu and also up to Hushe where he met famed HAP Little Karim. Tim dropped the following note from dusty Skardu:

Monday, May 16, 2011

Turned Around

Due to unexpected weather the team was forced to abandon their summit attempt. High winds blew in the night before their planned summit attempt and didn't subside until 3 that morning. Rather than risking a descent in the dark, the team retreated back to ABC to await a better weather window later in the week.

Have a listen!