At 10 a.m., Carlos Pauner reached the summit of the GII. He was alone, he arrived tired but with a clear head, aware of the fact that the real summit was below him. A difficult descent awaited him, as there was an unequipped section and every caution must be taken.

Raúl Martínez felt very cold and decided to stay at CIII. A wide decision. Raúl knows what ‘freezing cold’ is all about. He suffered the amputation of two of his toes as a result of freezing (on his ascent of Nanga Parbat 8125 m). On realising his health, his hydration levels, his strength and with a ‘cold’ head, he decided to give up. An exemplary gesture and actions praiseworthy of the person taking them. He fought like a titan, accompanying Carlos to the highest refuge, which was bound to be his prime reason for reaching CIII. He is a man of extreme generosity who looks out for the interests of others rather than his own. I am unaware of his current situation, but he will be somewhere on this mountain where he can be of use and not get in the way. Having Raúl nearby is extremely fortunate; those who know him are very lucky.

Francisco Mateo – Managing Director of Dynatech-elevation – called yesterday to take a personal interest in the health of Raúl, Adrián and Carlos and showed the typical concern of someone who is familiar with great challenges. He asked about Adrián, whether he had arrived safely and whether he was physically and mentally fit, and then about Raúl and Carlos. He asked me to tell him as soon as I had any news. He is another man with exemplary behaviour, someone who never shies away, who appears whenever he can offer his help and who adds but never takes away. Thanks for everything, Fran.

We will inform you as soon as we have any more news.

After eleven hours of heat, cold, snow and wind, Raúl Martínez and Carlos Pauner have reached 6450 metres where CII is installed.

After comparing his strength, Adrián Uclés at CI decided to go back to the Base Camp. A difficult decision… but the best one without a doubt. Over time, when the state of normoxia stabilises in his head and his body is well fed and hydrated, he will ask himself “and…….what if I had kept going a little longer? Adrián, it’s no cliché to say that only good mountaineers are capable of reaching these conclusions. For a mountaineer, abandoning is a strength, a virtue and under no circumstances a weakness. You’re a very strong guy, decided, jovial and happy, confident. I imagine the turning point and see your eyes looking up, with your legs bent and a look of reflection, your voice saying what you don’t want to say and the surprised, accomplice look of Raúl and Carlos. On your descent to the Base Camp, you will have looked just once at your colleagues as they walk away, with the iciest peak of the GII in the background and then putting all of your attention into the arduous descent, full of cracks. Adri, you’re an admirable man, you have caressed the eight-thousander, a discipline not within reach of us all but only the privileged few, of which you are one. You have gone with your homework done to get a good grade but, on analysing the circumstances, has decided to bid your farewells. Here at home we give you a knowing wink, a hug, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that you’re one of us. Adri, we’re really proud of you.

Insofar as Raúl and Carlos, they were very tired but animated. Their plan is to reach the CIII tomorrow; they’re 700 metres away, and then the summit on Friday. An ambitious, demanding plan that we hope goes according as expected. They’re about to show their cards, big style, and we hope they’ve got the best hand.

They won’t get another chance, bad weather is on its way and their stay on the Karakorum will be over.

The alarm clock went off at three a.m. at the start of what has been a long day. As forecast, it was snowing. At four a.m., after a light breakfast because you’re not at all hungry at that time, the entire group started the climb C1. After ten minutes, Gonzalo decided to turn back, not feeling strong enough to continue. Raúl, Carlos and Adrián carried on, battling against the snow, and after eight long hours reached C1. They have set up their tents and plan to spend the night there.

The route from the BC to C1 runs along a glacier full of cracks. The falling snow is not great for vision and covers all of the cracks, making them death traps for mountaineers. Extra effort is therefore required, overcoming the altitude and being extremely careful to avoid the hidden cracks.

Raúl’s voice was as calm as usual, that’s the best message. They have the usual altitude problems but are optimistic and physically in shape. The three will spend the night in a small tent. They were just melting snow for water and preparing a tasty dinner that is typical at altitudes: soup with pasta.

Over a very faint phone line due to bad coverage, possibly because of the bad weather in the area, we were informed of the situation of the Aragonese mountaineers.

They have reached the Base Camp after completing what some call the prettiest trekking trail in the world. Behind them are emblematic masses such as Trango Tower, Chogolisa, Masembrum, K2 and Broad Peak, among others.

The group is currently undergoing a period of adaptation and relaxation at the Base Camp. This is to be their centre of operations for the forthcoming weeks. There are not many expeditions – four in all – although a few more are bound to start arriving. This BC is a meeting point every year for many different expeditions, given that the sister peak of G2, the Hidden Peak or G1 is also climbed from here.

Some groups have already set up C2, which will be helpful for the Aragonese expedition. At present they have several days of organisation, talks, adaptation and waiting to look forward to. The weather is irrelevant for them at present; it’s not good, but because they won’t be working at any significant altitude for the next two days then there’s nothing to worry about.

Caption. Adrián, Raúl, Carlos and Gonzalo behind K2

The trekkers have walked, smelt, seen, touched and felt the atmosphere of the Karakorum at an altitude and must now return; some with an uncontrollable desire to stay and continue the climb, others aware of the fact that things will only become harder, but all with the satisfaction of having shared a unique experience.

The forecast predicts an improvement to the weather in two or three days, which they will make the most of to set up C1. Step by step, patiently but decisively, a formula we hope will place our friends at the highest point of this mountain by the end of this month.