Veikka Gustafsson, Hirotaka Takeuchi, and Kazuya Hiraide Summits Broad Peak

News is coming out that three climbers have successfully summited Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest peak.  Veikka Gustafsson, a Finish mountaineer, along with his two Japanese partners, made the successful summit of Broad Peak on Thursday.  The climbers reported near perfect conditions for their summit.

Gustafsson, is a three time Mt. Everest sumitter.  He reached the top of Everest in 1993, 1997, and 2004.  His summit in 1997 involved a no O2 ascent.  On July 8th of this year, Gustafsson reached the top of Gasherbrum II, making this his 12th 8,000 meter peak.  Broad Peak is his thirteenth summit of the world’s 14 highest peaks.  He only needs Gasherbrum I to make it to that magical plateau.

Once Gustafsson reaches Base Camp of Broad Peak, which he is heading down at this point, he will make a decision on whether or not to push for his final peak, Gasherbrum I, to achieve his final goal.

The Adventurist congratulates all three climbers and wishes them a safe and happy descent.  We also wish Veikka Gustafsson good luck as he shoots for his 14th and final 8,000 meter peak.  All 13 of his previous summits have been done without the use of supplemental oxygen.  If he succeeds on Broad Peak, he will become only the 7th climber to ever achieve this feat on all 14 8,000 meter peaks.

Photo:  Helsingin Sanomat