K2 Expedition in
2008
K2 peak, locally known by the name of "Chogo Ri" which
means "The Great Mountain", 8,611m, is the 2nd highest mountain in the
world. K2 is taken from the first letter of Karakorum, and the number
indicates that it was the second peak in the range to be measured. K2
is placed on the Pakistan - China border in the mighty Karakoram range.
With no simple routes, K2 is known as the finest and most dangerous mountain
in the world. This is because of the massiveness in the size of this mountain
and the numerous unsuccessful attempts made on it by various expeditions,
which include mostly American expeditions(K2 Expeditions & Attempts
list is available at the end of the page) . K2 was firstly climbed on
July 31st, 1954 by Italian climbers team lead by Ardito Desio and accompanying
him were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. It was first reached from
north side from China in 1982 by Japanese, a feat that has rarely been
repeated.
K2 Expedition Overview
Kashgar--Yecheng--Yilik--base camp --advance base camp--base camp--Yilik--yecheng--Kashgar
Thousands of trekkers and climbers have seen the majestic
karakoram 8000m peaks from the Pakistan side,but few have ventured on
the long trek through China to view K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums
from the north. The walk to her north base camp is an absolute classic,
encompassing what is arguably the most extra-ordinary display of alpine
scenery on the planet. It is a must do trek for mountain connossieurs,
and rightly listed as one of the world's Top 5 mountain walks.
This outing combines a trek up to K2 base camp and China
cultural exploration. We will trek along rivers, over a 16,000-foot pass,
and up to the K2 Glacier. This hike is very strenuous, but camels will
haul your overnight gear, food, , so you carry only a small daypack. You
will ride a camel across one or more rivers. The route is one of the most
unspoiled and least visited parts of the entire Himalayas. The mighty
Shagskam river drains the waters flowing north from the great Karakoram
peaks and carves a deep channel through the mountainous landscape. The
valleys here are at a much lower altitude than those on the Pakistan side
of the range, giving a far greater vertical height gain to the high summits.
So here you may experience breathtaking nature sceneries of the Karakorum
Mountains range both high peak and pure and quiet lake. The landscape
of the area is unique with the longest glaciers in China(about 40.2 kilometers),crystal
snow-capped peaks around lush valleys.
During our journey to K2,we also will visit the Kashgar
in Xinjiang
province, the most attraction in central Asia in the long history and
the Silk Road for the famous scenic spots and historical sites and the
Islamic architectures, centrak Asia Sunday Barzaar.
Departure date: Sep.4th-24th, 2008
The size of the group: 12 members
May through July and September through October are best time to make
this trek. Allow at least 3 weeks to do the trek described here. But
in remote places such as this it is always a good idea to be flexible
and allow several extra days for unforeseen situations.
Day-by-day Itinerary
Day 1 Kashgar
Meet you at the hotel in Kashgar, brief meeting before the hiking to
know all the members, tour leader and give information and what to note
while trekking on the way, recheck what is missing from the preparation
list. Stay in Qinibake Hotel or Seman Hotel
Day 2 Kashgar/Yecheng(about 260km, by jeep)
Today we will drive across some small Ugur counties and along the southwest
border of Takelamagan Desert to Yecheng, a small but very important
border county and starting point of Xinjiang-Tibet
highway(the so-called highway is the highest altitude, the worst conditioned
and dangerous road in the world. The altitude of the highest pass on
the way is Jieshan pass 6730m). Stay in the simple hostel in the county.
Day 3 Yecheng/Yilik(about 290km, by jeep)
Today we will drive over Akarz pass (3700m)and Maza Pass (4500m) along
the Xinjiang-Tibet
highway to Yilik, from where no road for the vehicles and our trekking
begins. Our local porters and the camels will meet us here. Camping
at Yilik Valley tonight. If we arrive early enough we could drive to
a small nomadic village 8km away for a short visit.
Day 4 Yilik/River-joint Camping site(about 12km, hiking about
4-6hours)
Today we will hike southwest along the Valley towards K2. The valley
is wide and with some Kerkz minority stone houses dotted along. Camping
at the two rivers joint camping site.
Day 5 River-joint Camping site/No.1 Sheepfold Camping Site(about
10km, hiking about 6-8 hours)
Day 6 No.1 Sheepfold Site/Agil pass (4870m)/No.1 Red-willow
Site(about 15km, hiking about7-9hours)
It is the hardest day of hiking, we will hike straight up for a little
less than 1000m in height to the Agil pass, the small crystal lake,
highland grassland and snow mountain afar will make the hardship worth.
Another difficult task we will face today is crossing the Keleqing River,
which is too wide and torrential to pass even for camel in Summer. Camping
at No.1 Red-willow Site.
Day 7 No.1 Red-willow Site/ No.3 Red-willow Site(about 18km,
hiking about 8-12 hours)
Day 8 No.3 Red-willow Site/BC of K2(about 12km, hiking about
6-8 hours)
From No.3 Red-willow site hike southwest for about 3km, we could see
K2 standing far away in front of us-an exciting moment. Further ahead
for less than10 km, we will arrive at the Base Camp of K2(altitude 3900m).
We couldn't see K2 from BC, but it is a good site for camping.
Day 9-13 BC of K2 / ABC(altitude 5160m)
After one-day rest and acclimatization at BC we will hike with porters
and camels to carry equipment from base camp to advance base camp along
K2 glacier from the altitude 3900m to 5160m. ABC is one of the best
points to see the K2 and take pictures of it. We are supposed to Camp
everyday.
Day 14-18: BC/Yilik
Trek back to Yilik for 5 days with camels to carry equipment. Camping
everyday .
Day 19 Yilik/Yecheng(drive back to Yecheng)
Day 20 Yecheng/Kashgar
Drive back to Kashgar, stay in Kashgar Hotel. Have a good shower and
rest after the long expedition. Stay in Qinibake or Seman Hotel.
Day 21 Kashgar(the end of the service)
* Quotation : (The exchange rate is US$1=8.2RMB)
For quotation please contact with us here.
The land cost included:
Accommodation(twin-share) in the best hotels in Kashgar and Yecheng
with breakfasts included, camping while trek to K2, private 4wd land
cruiser from Kashgar to Yilik and back, Trekking permit to K2, transportation
all by bus or jeeps, camels, porters, full fresh meals, cooking equipment
with cooking tent, tables and chairs ,sleeping tents and mattress, professional
guide and cook.
The land cost excluded: Sleeping bag(We are ready to
provide it if you need),Coffee or cold drinks and lunches or dinners
in cities, visa costs, airfares to Urmuqi and Kashgar , personal laundry,
tips for local expedition staff tips, snacks, personal items, tourist
Insurance(it is a must before you come) and extra cost for unforeseen
event.
Remarks before reservation
- The participants we are looking for: Walking 7-10 hours plus a day;
crossing high altitude passes over difficult terrain in remote areas;
excellent physical condition required with a positive attitude and
a strong determination; ropes and climbing equipment (e.g., ice axe
and crampons) may be used; previous hiking/camping experience preferred.
Please keep in mind that this is a general guide only. A variety of
factors, including weather, may add to the challenge.
- This is a tentative itinerary. For the enjoyment of your trip
a "go with the flow" attitude is necessary. Many factors
will influence your trip, such as weather conditions, health, route
conditions, etc. Please prepare two days more as "cushion"
day in case of delays in travel due to unforeseen events.
- If there are less than six persons in a group, we reserve the right
to cancel the expedition. In this case we inform you two month before
the departure time and will return all the money you paid. Please
understand!
- Regardless of your previous HA experience, it is crucial that you
be self-confident, superbly fit, committed, and determined at the
outset of the expedition and possess the necessary stamina and experience
to be a contributing player in the ascent.
- The cloth and equipment list will be available after the reservation.
The K2 expeditions we have successful serviced and will serve
since 2000
- 2000/08/25---09/20 : American K2 trekking expedition organized by
“Professional Mountain Guide?trip leader ?Mr. Jim Williams . 8 members
- 2000/08/20---09/ 15: Spanish K2 trekking expedition organized by
?Muztag? trip leader ?Mr. Luis Miguel , 6 members
- 2001/08/25?9/18: American K2 trekking expedition organized by ?Professional
Mountain Guide : trip leader –Mr. Jim Williams 9 members
- 2002/ 08/29?9/29 : American K2 trekking expedition organized by
?Wilderness Travel ? Trip leader ?Mr. Gary Mccue , 8 members
- 2002/09/02---10/11: British K2 trekking expedition organized by
?High Adventure? trip leader : Mr. David Hamilton , 7 members
- 2003/09/04---09/30: British k2 Trekking expedition organized by
?High Adventure ? trip leader : Mr. David Hamilton , 8 members
- 2004/ 06/05---06/30: Italian K2 trekking expedition organized by
?Focus World Expedition? Trip leader : Mr. Renato Moro , 9 members
- 2005/08/20---09/21: American K2 trekking expedition organized by
?Wilderness Travel ? Trip leader ?Mr. Gary Mccue , 14 members
K2 Expeditions & Attempts
- It was probably for the first time in 1902 that an organized expedition
of Oscar J.L. Eckenstein traveled to K-2 from Baltoro glacier. The
expedition was without any guide. Its aim was to explore approaches
to the mountain and possibly have a try on the peak. It was, however,
harsh weather which prevented it from attempting the peak.
- In 1909, a big Italian expedition under the leadership of resolute
Luigi Amadeo Giuseppe (Duke of Abruzzi) the grandson of King Victor
Emmanuel II of Italy, reconnoitred K2.
- Two famous British mountaineers, Harold William Tilman and Eric
Earle Shipton, explored and surveyed the north face of K2 and its
subsidiary glaciers in 1937.
- In 1938, the American Alpine Club sponsored a reconnaissance party
for a visit to K2 area. The party reached a height of 7925 meters
after setting up eight camps.
- The next year saw another American expedition on K2. It was led
by Fritz Hermann Ernst Wiessner, a German-American chemist and mountaineer.
The expedition, along with nine Sherpas, made very good progress on
the already-identified south-east ridge.
- Another American attempt on K2 was made in 1953. The expedition
leader was Dr. Charles Houston, who had also led the 1938 American
expedition on this peak.
- In 1954, an Italian expedition came to Pakistan to try its luck
on K2. It consisted of twelve climbers and four scientists and was
led by veteran mountaineer, Professor Ardito Desio, who had come to
these mountains with Italian expeditions before the World War II.
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