2011 GASHERBRUM II. RSS 2.0 feed.
27.06.11 (18:00 h Pakistan)
27.06.11 (15:00 h Spain)
Yesterday, on Sunday, they were able to finalise all the bureaucratic procedures with the respective Ministries in order to allow them entry to the Karakorum Mountains. The process was quick, the fact that there are few expeditions this year in Pakistan means that those responsible for these procedures have little work to do and therefore speed up any climbing requests.
The initial idea of flying directly to Skardu has been forgotten. It has been raining all day and the pilots don’t want to take any risks on landing.
The Aragonese did not hesitate to continue their journey by van to the gateway to the valley, to the city of Skardu. This means that they are faced with two days travel, 1250 km, along the Karakorum Highway. This road took 20 years to be built and paid the tragic price of one dead worker per kilometre built.
The landscape is wild, it follows the mountain range of Hidu Kush and the flow of the great Indus River.
Today they will stay in Chilas after a 10 hours journey. This is the hottest village you could ever imagine. They will try to rest in one of the rooms with air-conditioning machines that make a dreadful noise. They will have to decide whether they can’t sleep because of the heat or because of the noise.
Chilas is at the entrance to the Diamir Valley. This is the path we took in 2005 to get to Nanga Parbat (8125 m).
Tomorrow they will continue their journey to Skardu. The last few kilometres follow narrow paths that will make the journey slow at the same time as putting those who travel along it under strain.
The constant hoots of all types of vehicles won’t let them rest throughout the whole trip.
