Team in Islamabad

After two days of flying from North America our K2 team has finally assembled in Islamabad and our first challenge is to travel to Skardu, where we begin the jeep ride to Askole to begin the trek.  Today we spent a few hours at the airport waiting for this domestic flight, however because of bad weather the flight was cancelled.  We hope to fly tomorrow morning.

We made good use of our free time this afternoon by enjoying a wonderful lunch at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad (see photo).  The buffet featured American, European, and Pakistani culinary delights, and after generous helpings we retired to our hotel for a nap.

It’s been a life long dream of mine to climb “The Savage Mountain”, and with weather and route conditions permitting myself and three other American climbers will attempt to scale K2.  We will be climbing with some very good friends of mine including Kami Rita Sherpa, Fur Kancha Sherpa, and Kami Tshering Sherpa, as well as a few others.  I have climbed with Kami and Fur Kancha to the summit of Everest 5 times, as well as other Himalayan peaks such as Ama Dablam and Manaslu.  We are great friends, and I respect them tremendously as climbers.  Often they are among the lead route setters on the Everest, I have shared many good and hard days in the mountains with these men.

After months of careful preparation and planning that included extensive research of the route, dedicated fitness training, logistics for shipping our gear and food, obtaining the climbing permits and visas, and rearranging personal schedules to accommodate a 6 week expedition, we are very excited to finally make this climb a reality.

Climbing Team:

• Garrett Madison, Climb Leader
• Alan Arnette, Climber
• Matthew Dupuy, Climber
• Fredrick Sylvester, Climber

Trekking Team:

• Todd Dupuy
• Robert Whiteford
• Terray Sylvester

Climbing Support Team:

• Kami Rita Sherpa
• Fur Kancha Sherpa
• Kami Tshering Sherpa
• Mingma Sherpa
• Pemba Sherpa
• Dawa Sherpa