K2 Against All Odds - Extended Version

French-Led Independent K2 Expedition Hugues d’Aubarède (leader) KarimMeherban

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Qudrat Ali Jehan Baig Nicholas Rice Peter Guggemos

Basque Independent Climber (Alpine style) Alberto Zerain

The planned ascent

July 31 st after 05:30 The Summit Attempt Is Set For August 1st A weather window opens. On July 31st 2008, a total of 32 climbers assemble at Camp IV to commence their final ascent of one of the most dangerous mountains on earth – K2. The teams arrange to have an Advance Team pave the way for the following mass of climbers. It will set off before the rest of the expeditions, leaving on July 31st at 22:00 from Camp IV. The strongest climbers from each team will advance into the Bottleneck, a narrow, 91 metre vertical passage, and on into the Traverse, a 100 metre section that runs horizontally alongside the foot of a towering icefall – the Great Serac. They will establish a lifeline of fixed ropes, and bamboo sticks to help orientation through the Bottleneck and Traverse.