GILGIT: Sixteen International climbers summited Broad Peak (8,050m) on Wednesday while high speed winds hampered 170 mountaineers push to K2 (8611m), the second highest peak in the world.

The K-2 expedition including 13 Pakistani climbers divided into three groups to conquer the peak reached camp 2, camp 3 and camp 4.

The first group of the climbers are waiting at Camp 4, ready to move forward as soon as the wind stabilises, they expect to start their final push today (Thursday).

According to a statement issued by Imagine Nepal expedition team, the team members successfully stood on the summit of Broad Peak Wednesday morning, the summiteers including Ms Dawa Yangzum Sherpa (First Nepali Women to climb Broad Peak), Pemba Sherpa , Ngima Nuru Sherpa (summit without oxygen), Jit Bahadur Sherpa from Nepal, Ms Savannah Palma from the US, Mr Chrles Antonie from Canada.

While nine climbers from seven summit treks (SST) reached Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain.

According to a statement issued by the expedition total nine climbers from SST stood on the top of the peak, Marco Camandona, Pietro Picco, Raffaele Barbolini from Italy, Thomas Krapfl from Austria, Adriana Brownlee from UK, Dorota Lidia Samocko from Poland , Moses Fiamoncini from Brazil, Dawa Nurbu Sherpa and Gelje Sherpa from Nepal.

It said all Broad Peak summiteers on already crossed C3 on Wednesday and descending to Base camp.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali Nagri from Adventure Pakistan confirmed that Arnaud Pasquer from France summited Broad Peak on Wednesday.

According to Karar Haidri, secretary Alpine club of Pakistan, many climbers are on the way to Broad Peak summit, more summits may confirm today (Thursday).

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2022