K2 2003: ANDALUCÍA K2 EXPEDITION

Dispatch One

Andalucía K2 Base Camp, June 9, 2003: The Andalucian flag is already waving at Base Camp.

Last June 5 the ANDALUCIA K2 expedition reached, after a long and complex approach march, the Base Camp of the tallest mountain in the Karakorum mountain system.  The camp was installed at 4,910m of altitude on the Godwin Austen glacier's moraine, at the bottom of the formidable K2 mountain, the "mountain of mountains".  With the valuable collaboration of the trekking group that joins with the expedition, more than 3,600 Kg of climbing material was checked and organized, including food, energy, communications and audiovisual media that are carried by the expedition promoted by the Consejería de Turismo y Deporte.  The Andalucian flag is already waving in the heart of the most thrilling and hidden mountain group in the world.

The objective of the Andalucian group is to climb what is considered as the most difficult mountain on the planet, via the Southeast Spur or Abruzzos Spur.  It's an ascent that deals with level difference (more than 3,400m), difficulty (a mixed itinerary in snow, ice and rock with a great inclination), altitude (ends at 8,611m) and a very hostile weather, very much in the Karakorum system style.  A first magnitude sporting challenge in the world of mountain climbing.  The logistics of the first climb plans the installation of an advanced base camp at the bottom of the spur and four high altitude camps, at different levels, along the route.

During the days of June 7 and 8, the Andalucian expedition sponsored by Deporte Andaluz started the works to prepare the climbing route with very satisfactory results.  The itinerary that leads to "Advanced Base" has been explored and labeled.  The itinerary avoids the G. Austen glacier's icefall, an intricate maze of crevasses and snow hills.  In this settlement, at 5,200m, two tents have been installed and an important quantity of material has been stocked with the necessary equipment for the following climb.  Furthermore, the leading group, formed by three climbers, has begun an ascent of the actual spur.  They have reached the 5,650m mark on their way to Camp 1.

The mounting of this high altitude camp was planned for today, but a sudden change in the weather conditions, favorable until now, has prevented them from continuing with the activity.  At this moment, snow falls heavily on the top of the Karakorum. The Andalucian expedition group awaits at Base Camp for an improvement in the weather conditions to go on with the climb.

Javier Sánchez

Translated from Spanish by Jorge Rivera

Dispatches

Pictures and text copyright ANDALUCIA K2 expedition

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