From stu in the usa office
June 11, 2010
We have an exciting season in the Karakoram getting under way and hope you'll follow along all summer.
We still have room on Spantik, Snowlake and K2 BC treks beginning on August 1st. Check out the FTA website for all the details:
www.fieldtouring.com
Our K2 & Broad Peak 2010 team consists of 13 western climbers, 2 nepali sherpas and 5 pakistani HAP's and looks to be one of the strongest groups we have fielded ever on an expedition. Our guides include Fabrizio Zangrilli, Chris Szymiec and Ben Kane who will be assisted by FTA newcomer Ed Hannam and a Cho Oyu alum Rob Baker. Fabrizio is fresh from guiding a safe and successful (though no summits) trip to Makalu and Chris is arriving after leading a group to the summit of Cho Oyu. Both are ready to get back into the high mountains after having had an excellent rest in Kathmandu!
See our 2010 K2/Broad Peak Team page
Get updates by twitter or follow along here at the blog
Most of our team is already in Skardu and the remainder will be coming up in the next few days. With good luck we'll be heading to Askole and the start of the trek by the 14th.
Stay tuned for more news!
stu
ps. Fabrizio wrote an early dispatch which i have added below....enjoy!
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fabriziozangrilli.blogspot.com
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Broad Peak/K2 2010: Karakoram is quiet!
I arrived in Islamabad two days ago to the news from Essar and Naiknam at ATP that the Karakoram will be very quiet this season. According to them there are only 25 permits sold to the entire range - including 6, 7 & 8000m peaks! Neither could remember such a slow year. Last year we thought was slow with around 70 permits sold - perhaps the economy, the events in Lahore and the Attabad (Hunza) flood and lake formation have really put second thoughts in peoples minds about coming. The KKH is supposedly in bad shape and the lack of people will be good for the always difficult to get seats on the flight to Skardu.
We are very fortunate to have a full Broad Peak and K2 trip! I must admit that I am looking forward to not so many teams in both base camps, alot of hard work lies ahead but it will make everything much more harmonious, less overcrowding at the camps and the possibility for all teams to come together for parties during the down time.
There are some old friends returning this summer and I cant wait to see them. I head to Skardu tomorrow to finalize all of the organization, luckily leaving the duty of getting the permits to Chris, my co leader at Field Touring Alpine this summer, when he arrives with the members in a couple of days - as our liason officer has not reported for duty yet.
Another Karakoram season is underway! I am psyched, 10 days rest between Makalu base camp and Skardu is enough time off mountains it turns out. It was great to spend long dinners and lunches with friends in Thamel. It was especially nice to see some people after they had been helicoptered off Makalu and see the frostbite was not as bad as originally suspected, celebrate with Tunc (congratulations again!) and friends from other mountains. luckily I will get a couple of weeks rest between the Karakoram and the Autumn season on Cho Oyu (finilize your bookings with Stu soon)!
I will be updating frequently from Broad Peak and K2 as we have figured out the email glitch with the PDA, so check back frequently and wish us luck!
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