Norwegians first on K-2

By Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad --- Six committed Norwegians will be leaving for K-2 on Saturday to make the first ascent for their country and is the first expedition for the peak in 2005 which is the second highest in the world with 8611 meters.

Thirty-year old Rolf Bae having climbed Cho Oyu in 2003 is leading the side and the ace climber in the lot is 30-year-old Cecilie Skog who is the first Norwegian woman to have summated Everest (North with Oxygen) and Cho Oyu in 2003. “We planned for it for a long time and only one of us has been to Pakistan before and that is Trym Saeland who came in 1999 and 2001,” said Rolf. “We are just going to the mountains and we are taking not unnecessary risks, we are carrying oxygen but it’s for emergency use only.”

The expedition has climbed in nearly all the mountain ranges of the world and team leader Rolf holds the distinction having done an unsupported ski traverse of 3800 kilometers from Dronning Maud Land to Mc Murdo in 105 days in Antarctica. “It was long time we stayed there 17 months in all in the cold,” said Rolf.

The expedition members have plans for making the summit bid in middle of July or late depending on weather and snow conditions. “It all depends on weather and snow conditions as twice in the past I attempted Shishapagma but avalanche hazard and weather stopped me both the times for making it to the summit,” said the 30-year old adding, “We are there as the mountain is there and we wont push our luck as we can always comeback for the mountain as its not leaving.” “Its first all Norwegian expedition and the team is in great shape and we are all very excited to be here.”

The team is taking the South South East Spur and plans to fix minimum of ropes on the mountain that has a little over 100 making it to the top. “It was our dream peak and we planned for it for some years the inspiration was Trym Saeland (30) who has been here before and shared details of the region that attracts climbers from all over the world.”

Trym attempted Latok in 2001 and also was also here in 1999 climbing the unnamed peaks in under 6000 meter category. Sigurd Felde (33) and Oystein Stangeland (35) are the other two members of the team and Per Henry Knudsen is the Base Camp Manager. The expedition will make Base Camp at 5000 meters and is expected to make the summit bid in middle of end of July. The expedition leaves on Saturday (today).