GILGIT: Over 1,400 climbers gathered in the north of Pakistan to scale mountains, particularly K-2, Broad Peak, and Nanga Parbat, have seen their summit hopes dashed due to bad weather, communication problems, and landslide-induced roadblocks.

At least 300 climbers are present at K-2’s base camp while the same number of climbers are aiming to scale Broad Peak. At least 100 contenders wish to summit Nanga Park whereas an unknown number of aspirants are present in the region to summit Gasherbrum-I (8,080m), Gasherbrum-II (8,035m), and other above 6,000m peaks in the area.

A tour operator told Dawn that his three expedition teams were present at the K-2 base camp but they could not manage to reach the top due to bad weather. As of now, they have managed to reach Camp 3 but weather conditions at the peak compelled them to return to the base camp, as per the operator. The climbers are in rotation between Camp 3 and the base camp, Sakhawat Hussain said.

As per the forecast, the weather conditions will remain bad till July 17; however, the expedition members will manage to establish Camp 4 to make a push to reach the summit if given a chance by the weather.

Tour operators in the area also complained about poor communication services at the base camp of K-2 which was resulting in confusion. Similarly, the road from Skardu to Askoli is blocked at six points, creating difficulties for the climbers to reach base camps of the peaks from Skardu. It may be noted here that flooding and glacier melting had swept away multiple bridges on the road to Askoli.

Meanwhile, efforts to recover mountaineers Sharif Sadpara and Iman Karim who went missing on Broad Peak failed to produce any positive results. British mountaineer Paul and Dilawar, a member of the Sharif Sadpara team, looked for possible clues to find the two climbers but their efforts remained an exercise in futility.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2022