2003 CZECH K2 & BROAD PEAK EXPEDITION

Dispatch Two: From Martin Minarik, Czech 2003 K2-Broad peak Expedition, currently at Gula on the way to the base camp.

We are half way between Askole and Paju at newly established camp opened only last week. The effort of Pakistani Authorities to bring foreigners over here is amazing. This place has clean running water brought from nearby creek, toilets and nicely established camp sites. The freshly planted trees show that people here are serious about it. Nepalese have long way to go to come up with something similar. Yesterday, we left Scardu in jeeps for 140km road to Askole. It is about 7 hours trip and it would satisfy every friend of rallye style driving. Our adventure would not be complete without stone avalanche which came over the road less than half a minute ahead of us and covered the area in dust and the road with huge rocks. Obviously it is not unusual in this area. Drivers pulled out shovels and ropes and within 45 minutes, we were on the road again. I know, Indiana Jones would have explosives for such a situation, but we are just Czech climbers.

We divided our load among about 60 porters, some of them from Scardu and some of them from tiny village Askole. Radek and Miska met many people who accompanied them on the trip two years ago. Sultan - our Hunza guide, Fido (Peter) - our cook and Mahmad - his help in the kitchen are among them. They purchased couple of goats which will come handy in couple of days. No food for the animals, I bet they know this is only one way trip. Cheers, Martin

Dispatches