2002 PEACE CLIMB TO PAKISTAN'S KARAKORUM RANGE

Dispatch One: Islamabad, Pakistan,  Monday, June 10, 2002

We have arrived in Pakistan! Everything so far so good. Fernando Gonzalez-Rubio and Alberto Carrizosa arrived to Islamabad today from Bogotá, Colombia via Paris and Dubai.  Tunc Findik arrived yesterday from Ankara, Turkey via Istanbul and Dubai.  We are traveling together with the hospitality of a 15 member team, mostly German lead by Robert Rackl for Amical Alpin.

We are very excited to be here and to be part of the Broad Peak Peace Climb. Peace is not an easy accomplishment, but we are here to show our gesture that even in adverse political conditions it is still possible to make a statement that people from different nations with different cultures can come together and accomplish a goal. 

Fernando comments "Is peace a just an illusion or is a possibility? but we are here to do what we can for to make it a reality.  I hope that the lessons we learn here can be transmitted to my beloved Colombia, that we too may one day find the way to live in peace." 

Tunc has to say "Peace, I think can only be obtained if we can make peace within ourselves,  I suppose our small group symbolizes the peace between different people."

We would like to thank EverestNews.com for the opportunity to join this expedition and we would also like to thank Fernando's sponsors  I.C.; Totto, outdoor wear: Body Tech-Gym; and Ciclón, Energy Drink,  and Tunc's sole sponsor Meteksan Sistem, IT company. Whom have believed in us and without their support this would not be possible.