Kangchenjunga 2003
Spanish/Italian News

Carlos Pauner Final Dispatch Kangchenjunga 2003

After the complicated descent from this great mountain, I am now home trying to recover from the injuries I suffered.  I had important frostbite in some fingers, but thanks to the excellent care of Dr. Morandeira and all the personnel of Hospital Clínico de Zaragoza, the evolution is favorable.  This time the mountain wasn't any easy, we've had to fight hard to climb, but had to fight much more to come back and save my life. I am satisfied as a climber, we have managed to draw a new route on the South face of Kangchenjunga, a route of great difficulty on mixed terrain of ice and rock. The key point is a spur of rock located at 8,500 meters, with steps up to grade V of difficulty.  I began the descent, in extreme conditions and solo, on this same route to end it in unknown terrain, following the spectacular chimney of ice that goes along the South face in its central part.

For me, ascending this mountain this way, has given me much happiness, although now my main worry is to recover completely to face new challenges to come.  Also I wish a fast recovery from their injuries to all my teammates, and I especially thank Mario Merelli and Silvio Mondinelli for their care.  I would also like to thank all the people who with their support, messages and love have made possible the climbing of one of the most difficult mountains in the world.  I also thank all the people and institutions that have worked hard to have done the rescue from base camp the most efficient possible: The Government of Aragón, Aragón Mountain Federation, Montañeros de Aragón, Fiatc, Coris Asistencia, Thamserku Trekking, 112 Rescue Unit, Guardia Civil, etc... and so many friends like Marcelino Iglesias, Manuel Avellanas, Andrés Alonso, Luis Masgrau, Gonzalo Albasini, Mr. Parajuli, Idel... and all those who I have made suffer with this adventure and who without their worries I wouldn't be writing these lines today.  To all my family and friends, who have suffered so much this time, I promise to try not to scare you this way again.  Barri, Javier, Juan Carlos, Iñaki, Carmen, Mikel, Gloria, Cris, Mila, Laura... you have given me a lesson of love and friendship that I will never forget.  Thanks to all who have lived this adventure with me from a distance.  New expeditions to other great mountains will come, big challenges that we will be able to share.  I'll be waiting for you next time! Carlos

Translated from Spanish by Jorge Rivera

Photos Source Carlos Pauner

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