K2 Tragedy: Confirmed 8 Dead, At Least 4 Still Missing. K2 Search Cut Back. Hope Begins To Fade-
August 4, 2008
I have finally recieved a confirmation that eight climbers have been confirmed dead on K2. This confirmation is coming through Pat Falvey, who is in direct contact with the expeditions and the current rescue attempts. It is also being noted that the current rescue operation on K2 is being scaled back as the thoughts of possible survivors deteriorates.
The deaths are being mentioned as follows:
3 climbers die from serac (ice avalanche) fall on 1 August while descending from a successful summit earlier in the day in The Bottle Neck just below the summit ridge and exit to the lower section of K2. This is a technical steep section of the mountain above 8000 meters (a place known to us climbers as death Zone) The ice avalanche sweeping away the fixed ropes which is used by tired climbers as a handrail to the safety of the lower sections of the mountain and the safety of camp 4.
August 1st/ 2nd: 5 climbers spotted at top of bottle neck above 8000 meters. Knowing they could not survive in the death Zone they try to get down the icy slopes of the Bottle Neck unsuccessfully and die.
Death toll rises to 8
Wilco and Marco whose where abouts on August 1st and 2nd had been reported as unknown make their way to safety below the bottle neck.
Marco making it to camp 4 while Wilco strays onto Camp 3 on the Cessan route.
Pemba and Cas who were at camp four receive a request that base camp had seen a loan climber descending on the Cessan route to camp 3. They make their way to see who the lone climber was and by break of day it was confirmed it was Wilco.
August 2nd also, Ger and Hugues position had also been reported as unknown. Fears for their safe return rise.
Questions raised for us, included whether they were the other 2 climbers that had gone in the Serac fall on August 1st or if not where Ger and Hugues position was on the mountain.
Break of day 3rd August. The Climbers above Bottle Neck no longer can be seen. As they had not turned up at high camp they to are presumed to have died as they descended the steep icy slope
These climbers would have realised that they could not have survived the Death Zone much longer if they did not move. They may have decided to take a chance on treacherous descent.
Also August 3rd. All surviving climber now at camp 4 are exhausted and need to descend to safety.
The Rescue attempt in place is down scaled knowing that any climber not accounted for would not survive another night in the death Zone. A decision is made to get all climbers back to base camp and do a proper head count to see who is missing.
Those who have died on K2 include Rolf Bae and Gerard McDonnell. McDonnell’s family has issued a statement through Pat Falvey’s website in regards to his tragic death. Rolf Bae’s death is being confirmed through Pat Falvey, himself. A close friend and former climbing partner of Rolf’s.
Helicopters are currently lifting injured climbers away from K2 for medical treatment. Those climbers include WILCO and CAS from the Norit K2 Expedition. Marco is still listed as descending, with help. Each of the climbers are suffering with frostbite issues, but the extent is not known at this time.
Rescue efforts are being scaled back so that rescuers and guides can survey the damage. With so many climbers up and down k2, it is hard to se who is there and who may still be trapped or dead. We do know that four climbers are still missing, and they are being presumed as dead, though no confirmation of a body or report has been made.
This is the most up to date information currently being found. Any reports suggesting that 11 deaths have been confirmed, is not currently warranted from reliable sources. This report is coming directly from those at K2 and not through another media outlet.
It should also be noted that the current President of Ireland made a statement in regards to the tragic news of climber Gerard McDonnell. On August 1st, he became the first Irishman to scale K2 and would later die in this tragedy
The Adventurist wishes to express his heartfelt thoughts to the families, friends, and associates of those involved in this tragedy. It truly has been a terrible thing to follow, and even worse if you are going through it. My heart and prayers are with all of you-
CHECK OUT THE LATEST UPDATE: 11 Climbers Confirmed Dead, List of Names Given
Be sure to check back often for further updates in regards to the K2 Tragedy and the climbers currently trapped. You may subscribe to The Adventurist’s Free Email Newsletter presented daily, or track us by RSS Feed in your favorite Feed Reader.
You may also join in on the current conversation with your thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes for the stranded climbers. This area is begining to get a lot of interst as people stop by and offer their prayers and thoughts on this tragedy.
You may also check out my previous reports beginig when this news first broke. To check out the previous articles in relation to k2 and the current rescue efforts, click the articles below to get caught up on the situation.
At this time I would like to stop and thank each and every one of you for your continued interest in the current events on K2. I will try to update as more information is released. I would also like to welcome the readers coming in from UKClimbing.com, as well as those from Topix and AllTop for stopping by and joining in on the discussions. Please feel free to leave your thoughts in a comment on this post. Show these rescuers and climbers your support by leaving your well-wishes and Prayers, then stop back by for continued live updates.
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under 2008 Tragedy On K2, K2. K2 Tragedy, Uncategorized |
