K2 Tragedy: “Up There It Was Hell”–Survivors Of K2 Tragedy Begin To Speak, Photos Emerge

Wilco van Rooijen After Surviving K2 Tragedy–Click Here For More Photos

Hours after rescue helicopters lifted two climbers from the depths of one of the world’s biggest mountain climbing tragedies, the two climbers’ stories are beginning to be reported.  Wilco van Rooijen has been quoted in today’s news articles from both Reuters and the Associated Press.  The first details of this tragic event provoke thoughts of unorganized expeditions, crowds, and when it became time for do-or-die decisions it was every man for himself.

Wilco van Rooijens miraculously walked into high camp after spending three long days fighting for survival on the world’s second highest peak.  His long experience in the death zone is being recorded as amazing and a feat to ponder.  He may very well become known as the person who has spent the most continuous amount of time above 20,000 feet in history.  It is a feat worth noting, yet, his mere survival is the most important thing.  He didn’t do this by choice, but by a need to survive when tragedy took hold.  Eleven climbers are dead and four are still missing.

The biggest mistake we made was that we tried to make agreements,” Wilco van Rooijen told Reuters, his face reddened by sun and snow burn after days on the unforgiving 8,611 metre (28,240 feet) mountain.

This is coming from the Reuters report talking with Wilco.  Wilco’s statement is made in regards to agreements being set to handle the rope laying, something Wilco notes as being something another expedition was suppose to take care of.

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