Britons among team attempting K2, Broad Peak summits

ISLAMABAD: An international mountaineering outfit, comprising 20 climbers, has arrived in Pakistan to summit the 8,611-metre K2 and 8047-metre Broad Peak, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Sunday.

The expedition organised by the US-based boutique mountain guide service, Madison Mountaineering, comprises 10 Nepalese, five Britons, four US nationals and one Ukrainian.

“The team led by renowned US mountaineer Garrett Christian Madison have proceeded to Gilgit-Baltistan today,” Karrar Haidri, secretary ACP told APP on Sunday.

According to Haidri, the mountaineers are scheduled to complete their expedition by the end of August. “Sixteen members of the team will attempt K2 summit, while as many will be scaling Broad Peak. Some of them will be attempting to ascend both the peaks,” he added.

Around two weeks ago, Pakistan relaxed its ban on Nepali citizens amid concerns for Covid-19’s Delta strain. “They (Nepalese climbers) are considered an essential part of any mountaineering expedition; hence, the Pakistan government has allowed their entry into Pakistan under strict measures. They are required to provide proof of complete vaccination and two PCR tests,” Haidri added.

He said formalities for the expedition were completed by the ACP on behalf of the Tourism Department of Gilgit-Baltistan, which issues climbing permits. “The mountaineers have also been asked for strict adherence to environment preservation measures while being on Baltoro glacier in accordance with the guidelines issued by the ACP.”

Haidri said the club has also requested inputs from the team for additional measures for the disposal of expedition refuse on the Baltoro glacier. “They all arrived in Islamabad from Kathmandu on a chartered plane,” he added.