2. K2 Trek in Pakistan
  3. Ahsan's Pictures

Chapter 11 - The Land of Giants - Walk to K2 and Concordia Rest

It seemed the mountains were impossibly high and the glacier was impossibly wide. It was the land of giants. We left early in the morning at 6:00 am for K2 basecamp. By 9:30 we had crossed Broad Peak base camp an were within reach of Gilkey Memorial at almost 17000 feet when we saw bad weather coming over Concordia. We decided it would be prudent to make it back before nightfall. Ignacio was determined to get to the memorial. His teacher had died on K2, and this was something of a pilgrimage to him and I didn't have the heart to deny him. So we went with Ayub while the rest os us headed back. An hour down, and the sun was shining again, but now it was too late to turn back. It was good that we kept going because the weather changed again and at the worst part of the terrain, what we called "The Maze", we had sleet and high winds as we tried to make our way over ravines and gullies. We got lost and finally found our way back after Ibrahim raced down from camp.
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  • We were up at dawn to leave for base camp. In retrospect it might have been too late a start since we got bad weather later in the day but since there are no forecasts, it is tough to predict. Here the early morning light gives a bluish tinge to Gasherbrum IV.

    We were up at dawn to leave for base camp. In retrospect it might have been too late a start since we got bad weather later in the day but since there are no forecasts, it is tough to predict. Here the early morning light gives a bluish tinge to Gasherbrum IV.

  • Before we started, we got our group picture. We had decided that Iza, Misha and Anisa would stay at Concordia since that had been the main goal, and we expected this days hike to be the longest one yet for almost 12 hours. What Ayub also pointed out is that the next four days we would be hiking 12 hours a day as well so it would be good to give the girls a rest. Matthew elected to stay as well since he had trouble breathing during the night and it didn't make sense to take a risk.

    Before we started, we got our group picture. We had decided that Iza, Misha and Anisa would stay at Concordia since that had been the main goal, and we expected this days hike to be the longest one yet for almost 12 hours. What Ayub also pointed out is that the next four days we would be hiking 12 hours a day as well so it would be good to give the girls a rest. Matthew elected to stay as well since he had trouble breathing during the night and it didn't make sense to take a risk.

  • There was rime on the rocks as we stood there so it made for a wonderful mix with slippery surfaces on the rock which sat on a slippery base to start with. I got into the picture while Ignacio pressed the shutter.

    There was rime on the rocks as we stood there so it made for a wonderful mix with slippery surfaces on the rock which sat on a slippery base to start with. I got into the picture while Ignacio pressed the shutter.

  • We start to make our way to cross the Baltoro to get onto the Godwin Austin Glacier. We little realized what maze we were getting into. That first hour was one of the toughest of the trek with steep slopes and slippery trails. Once again we were thankful for Ayub and his team who made sure the the risk was minimized as much as we could.

    We start to make our way to cross the Baltoro to get onto the Godwin Austin Glacier. We little realized what maze we were getting into. That first hour was one of the toughest of the trek with steep slopes and slippery trails. Once again we were thankful for Ayub and his team who made sure the the risk was minimized as much as we could.

  • We finally go onto the medial moraine of the the Godwin Austen. Ibrahim and Ignacio had to get on a giant boulder to get a view.

    We finally go onto the medial moraine of the the Godwin Austen. Ibrahim and Ignacio had to get on a giant boulder to get a view.

  • Ignacio now has to climb down.

    Ignacio now has to climb down.

  • Mitre Peak in the morning.

    Mitre Peak in the morning.

  • The base of K2. By this time we had passed Broad Peak Base Camp and it was no longer possible to take a picture of K2 and have it fit in your viewfinder, even dor the wide angle lens.

    The base of K2. By this time we had passed Broad Peak Base Camp and it was no longer possible to take a picture of K2 and have it fit in your viewfinder, even dor the wide angle lens.

  • The razor sharp rocks that formed the trail to K2. Almost everyones boots were pretty much shredded by the time we got back. You need to have boots that have the extra tough layer on the lower part to keep the rocks from cutting them up.

    The razor sharp rocks that formed the trail to K2. Almost everyones boots were pretty much shredded by the time we got back. You need to have boots that have the extra tough layer on the lower part to keep the rocks from cutting them up.

  • Boots on the trail.

    Boots on the trail.

  • Ibrahim rests at Broad Peak Base Camp. There are a number of those which have moved over the years depending on the expeditions paths.

    Ibrahim rests at Broad Peak Base Camp. There are a number of those which have moved over the years depending on the expeditions paths.

  • Tanya looks up at Broad Peak. The glacier behind her is the path we took on the return. Instead of the constant up and down, it was like being on a highway.

    Tanya looks up at Broad Peak. The glacier behind her is the path we took on the return. Instead of the constant up and down, it was like being on a highway.

  • Jeff and Erin rest up for a few minutes before we get going again.

    Jeff and Erin rest up for a few minutes before we get going again.

  • Broad Peak looms above us.

    Broad Peak looms above us.

  • me and Adil in front of K2. Adil was getting a severe headache at this point, a clear symptom of altitude sickness. The only cure is to go down in altitude. We convinced him to head towards camp while we went on a little further.

    me and Adil in front of K2. Adil was getting a severe headache at this point, a clear symptom of altitude sickness. The only cure is to go down in altitude. We convinced him to head towards camp while we went on a little further.

  • Rich and Tanya look towards Concordia as we wait. There you could see a weather system moving in.

    Rich and Tanya look towards Concordia as we wait. There you could see a weather system moving in.

  • Concordia way in the distance is covered by dark clouds. We had to make some decisions at this point. Since the system was heading towards us, we decided to make noon our turnaround point instead of the 1 pm we had decided on earlier. It was a prudent decision.

    Concordia way in the distance is covered by dark clouds. We had to make some decisions at this point. Since the system was heading towards us, we decided to make noon our turnaround point instead of the 1 pm we had decided on earlier. It was a prudent decision.

  • The worry we had as we looked back towards the Baltoro and Concordia was crossing "The Maze" in bad weather. The Maze was the crossing from Baltoro to Godwin Austen which took us an hour and a half just to go 500 meters as the crow flies. We didn't know it at that time, but Matthew had been trying to call us on the radio to have us turn back based on the high winds and rain they were getting.

    The worry we had as we looked back towards the Baltoro and Concordia was crossing "The Maze" in bad weather. The Maze was the crossing from Baltoro to Godwin Austen which took us an hour and a half just to go 500 meters as the crow flies. We didn't know it at that time, but Matthew had been trying to call us on the radio to have us turn back based on the high winds and rain they were getting.

  • Rain in Concordia.

    Rain in Concordia.

  • We stop for lunch and decide we should start moving back with the weather closing in on us. Ignacio wanted to dash up to the Gilkey Memorial, so I had Ayub go with him while Murad and Khalil headed back with us.

    We stop for lunch and decide we should start moving back with the weather closing in on us. Ignacio wanted to dash up to the Gilkey Memorial, so I had Ayub go with him while Murad and Khalil headed back with us.

  • VIDEO - I gets everyone on tape as we start to head back.

    VIDEO - I gets everyone on tape as we start to head back.

  • VIDEO - Ignacio does not want to go back!

    VIDEO - Ignacio does not want to go back!

  • Rich wanted to enter a photo competition for his local hardware store for wearing a shirt in the most unusual location. Here he is in front of the base of K2.

    Rich wanted to enter a photo competition for his local hardware store for wearing a shirt in the most unusual location. Here he is in front of the base of K2.

  • Rich and Tanya. I think Rich was freezing!

    Rich and Tanya. I think Rich was freezing!

  • Looking back towards Concordia.

    Looking back towards Concordia.

  • In front of K2.

    In front of K2.

  • In front of K2.

    In front of K2.

  • The Savoia Glacier meeting Godwin Austen.

    The Savoia Glacier meeting Godwin Austen.

  • Some quick pictures.

    Some quick pictures.

  • Jeff and I on Godwin Austen.

    Jeff and I on Godwin Austen.

  • Since we had been standing still for more than 5 minutes, we had our matching First Ascent down jackets out. It was still so cold.

    Since we had been standing still for more than 5 minutes, we had our matching First Ascent down jackets out. It was still so cold.

  • Looking towards Concordia.

    Looking towards Concordia.

  • We get the auto exposure. Ayub and Ignacio had already headed towards the Gilkey Memorial. We are close to 17,000 ft altitude.

    We get the auto exposure. Ayub and Ignacio had already headed towards the Gilkey Memorial. We are close to 17,000 ft altitude.

  • Jeff looking over towards Concordia.

    Jeff looking over towards Concordia.

  • Concordia is behing Jeff far in the distance about 9-10 km away. By this time we were close to 17,000 feet.

    Concordia is behing Jeff far in the distance about 9-10 km away. By this time we were close to 17,000 feet.

  • Erin up by K2.

    Erin up by K2.

  • Those two don't seem to get tired to looking at each other. This wasn't even posed. That is how they are.

    Those two don't seem to get tired to looking at each other. This wasn't even posed. That is how they are.

  • I finally get their attention. I have to say that everyone on our team would come up to me and tell me how great Tanya and Rich were and thanked me for bringing them along. This included our kitchen staff and crew. They definately get the gold star for the trek.

    I finally get their attention. I have to say that everyone on our team would come up to me and tell me how great Tanya and Rich were and thanked me for bringing them along. This included our kitchen staff and crew. They definately get the gold star for the trek.

  • In front of the start of Godwin Austin Glacier.

    In front of the start of Godwin Austin Glacier.

  • The Savoia Glacier runs alongside the Godwin Austen until they meet up with the Baltoro at Concordia.

    The Savoia Glacier runs alongside the Godwin Austen until they meet up with the Baltoro at Concordia.

  • Ayub and Ignacio specks in the distance as they walk towards Gilkey Memorial. You have to view this in full size to see them.

    Ayub and Ignacio specks in the distance as they walk towards Gilkey Memorial. You have to view this in full size to see them.

  • The Savoia Glacier that flows along the flank of K2

    The Savoia Glacier that flows along the flank of K2

  • Rich looking towards K2.

    Rich looking towards K2.

  • Erin as we start to head back. Everyone was having some part of their body breaking down. Ignacio's stomach was a mess and his feet had turned into hamburger, Erin's ankle had been hurting for a while but she kept pushing on it. I had finally recovered from my giant blisters and felt great by this point.

    Erin as we start to head back. Everyone was having some part of their body breaking down. Ignacio's stomach was a mess and his feet had turned into hamburger, Erin's ankle had been hurting for a while but she kept pushing on it. I had finally recovered from my giant blisters and felt great by this point.

  • On the way back, Khalil and Murad decided it would be better to walk on the icy part of the glacier so we got onto that. It was just great. The ground was level instead of the constant ups and downs, it was level and easy to walk on. The only risk was to run into some crevasse.

    On the way back, Khalil and Murad decided it would be better to walk on the icy part of the glacier so we got onto that. It was just great. The ground was level instead of the constant ups and downs, it was level and easy to walk on. The only risk was to run into some crevasse.

  • Erin and Khalil on the glacier as we head back to Concordia. We wanted to get back before the weather got nasty, but now were were under sunny skies and couldn't see any weather problems.

    Erin and Khalil on the glacier as we head back to Concordia. We wanted to get back before the weather got nasty, but now were were under sunny skies and couldn't see any weather problems.

  • We make good time down the glacier. For the first time in the trip we were heading towards a destination that was lower.

    We make good time down the glacier. For the first time in the trip we were heading towards a destination that was lower.

  • VIDEO - Murad walks down the Godwin Austen Glacier towards Concordia. You can see the level surface and how the pea sized gravel made for a surface that had good traction for your boots.

    VIDEO - Murad walks down the Godwin Austen Glacier towards Concordia. You can see the level surface and how the pea sized gravel made for a surface that had good traction for your boots.

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