Apricot Tours Announces its K2 Winter 2020 Expedition. Dispatch updates to follow.
Credit: Apricot Tours K2 Winter 2020
UPDATE: Apricot Tours announced that a helivac was performed, evacuating all 5 members of the expedition. At this time, the expedition is over.
Apricot Tours on the request of team #K2Winter2020 organized a helicopter rescue mission of two helicopters airlifting five members of the expedition. All five members have reached Skardu safe and sound. pic.twitter.com/vY6WfXKcwO
— Apricot Tours – Pakistan (@apricottourspk) February 5, 2020
This year, we are following a Nepalese expedition attempting to summit K2 during the winter season. Apricot Tours mounted their expedition recently and reached Skardu on 08 Jan 2020.
K2 is the toughest mountain in the world, often referred to as The King of Mountains. Standing at 28,251 feet (8611 m), this mountain is only second in height to Mount Everest, the highest place on Earth. But in comparison to Everest, K2 is a highly technical climb with many elements that add to its treacherous reputation.
From the violent weather to avalanche events, K2 often does not allow climbers to grace its peak. In the Summer of 2017, we covered the K2 expedition of climber Fredrik Sträng. Sträng was present during the 2008 K2 Disaster and witnessed the harrowing conditions this mountain can hurl at climbers. He did not summit that season and came back almost a decade later for another attempt in 2017. He attempted the climb again in 2018 and 2019, all during summer seasons.
But climbing K2 during the winter is another animal compared to climbing it during the summer. The traverse is dangerous, with many climbers choosing to attempt a summit during the summer if attempting at all. To date, there has never been a successful summit on K2 during a winter season.
This year, Apricot Tours is attempting a winter summit of K2 consisting of seven climbers and led by Mingma Gyalje Sherpa. They will be climbing the Abruzzi Spur Route. The team members are.
- Mingma Gyalje Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
- Tamting Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
- Pasang Namgel Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
- Kili Pempa Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
- John Snorri Sigurionsson (Iceland) – view profile
- Gao Li (China) – view profile
- Tomaz Rotar (Slovenia) – view profile
You can donate to their possible record-breaking expedition on the GoFundme page organized by Mingma G.
Stay tuned to the developments on this expedition using the link below.
Dispatches Apricot Tours K2 Winter 2020.
About Apricot Tours
Apricot Tours operates in Northern Pakistan guiding tours, treks and expeditions. The company is equally involved in tourism-related activities throughout Pakistan.
Born in the northern areas of Pakistan and comprised of a diverse team from young minds to experienced team members, Apricot Tours understands the importance of plans/itineraries that are compatible with international routes for on-the-go travelers. Our experienced staff of porters, drivers, guides and event managers, is the best in realizing and responding to the needs of our guests for customized plans. (Government Licence: ID-2131)
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Apricot Tours K2 Winter 2020 Dispatches
Dispatch #1 Apricot Tours Heads Out for K2 Winter 2020
Dispatch #2 From Islamabad to Skardu
Base Camp Magazine 