Climbers turn back on K2 summit day

All climbers have turned back on a recent summit attempt on K2. Deep snow above the Bottleneck slowed them down when late in the day the decision was made to descend back to High Camp.

The climbers are on their way descending back to Base Camp except the Kazakhs, Maxut Zhunmayev and Vassiliy Pivtsov, who with characteristic determination have stayed in Camp Four preparing for a possible new attempt today. I wish the best of luck to Maxut and Vassiliy!

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

K2 Summit push coming soon...

Photo: K2 seen from Concordia

Today a meeting was held at K2 Base Camp with the remaining climbers to plan a coordinated summit attempt on K2 taking advantage of the good weather forecast for early next week. For more information I suggest taking a look at Jake Meyer's Blog

If you are interested in seeing K2 and the other beautiful mountains of Pakistan then consider coming with The Mountain Company to K2 Base Camp in August 2010, for more information on K2 & Gondogoro La trek

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Congratulations to Veikka Gustafsson

Congratulations to Veikka Gustafsson of Finland who has now climbed all fourteen of the world’s highest peaks over 8,000m without supplementary oxygen. Veikka’s last peak was Gasherbrum 1 in Pakistan summitted on July 25th 2009.

Ghurkas welcome Joanna Lumley to Nepal

Actress Joanna Lumley arrived to Kathmandu yesterday on her first visit to Nepal after her recent campaign demanding UK settlement rights for Gurkha soldiers. Her father, a Gurkha officer in 6^th Ghurka Rifles regiment, was saved by a Ghurka soldier during the 2^nd World War.

On her arrival to Kathmandu airport Joanna was mobbed by many Ghurka veterans and press. She will meet the President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Ram Baran Yadav followed by visiting the towns of Jhapa and Dharan to meet Ghurka veterans.

Photos of Sherpani Pass linking Makalu BC with the Khumbu

After my recent expedition to climb Mt Makalu I was hoping to walk out over the Sherpani Pass and into the Khumbu, however after my late summit I ran out of time so had go back the same way we trekked in over the Shipton La and back to the airstrip at Tumlingtar.

For a number of years it has been an ambition of mine to walk from Makalu Base Camp over the Sherpani Pass, West Col and Amphu Laptsa and into the Khumbu near Everest Base Camp. In my mind this is one of the most impressive and challenging treks in the Himalayas.

This is a truly adventurous expedition passing through a remote and wild region of the Himalayas. The altitude of the Sherpani Pass is at 6,135m so it is very important to spend time around Makalu BC in order to sufficiently acclimatise. Clearly there are logistical challenges in supplying an expedition to this area so it is important to have a strong Sherpa team to undertake this journey.

The Mountain Company is planning on organising the Makalu Base Camp to Khumbu via Sherpani Pass in April 2011, for further information take a look at our website. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining Roland on this expedition.

Take a look at the superb photos of Sherpani Pass and Baruntse Base Camp below, I would like to thank José Mª López "Ramoni" for very kindly sending these photos. He was also on an expedition to Makalu earlier this year and afterwards walked out over the Sherpani Pass and climbed Baruntse on his way home.

Photo: Sherpani Pass from Camp 1 on Makalu

Photos: Approaching Sherpani Pass

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: Sherpani Pass at end of valley

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: Makalu from glacier near Sherpani

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: North side of Sherpani Pass

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: On top of Sherpani Pass

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: Abseiling down Sherpani Pass

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: Descending down Sherpani Pass

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Photo: Baruntse Base Camp

Credit: José Mª López "Ramoni"

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Afghan climbers summit Afghanistan's highest mountain Mt Noshaq at 7,492m

Two mountaineers from Afghanistan, Malang Jan Darya and Amruddin Sanjar, have summitted Mt Noshaq at 7,492m the highest mountain in Afghanistan. This is the first time that Noshaq has been climbed by Afghans.

Indefinite strike called in Darjeeling

Photo: View of Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling

On July 13th the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha party (GJM) called an indefinite strike in Darjeeling which will no doubt affect both tourism and tea production. The strike is to support GJM's demands for a separate state and more influence for the local Nepali speaking Gorkha community.

The Mountain Company will carefully monitor this situation before making a decision on how this will affect our post monsoon treks in Darjeeling and Sikkim.