News & Updates – K2 Winter Expedition 2020

K2 Winter Expedition 2020

K2 winter expedition 2020 is finally about to begin in a few days. K2 remains the only 8,000er with zero winter ascent. Apricot Tours (Pakistan) is conducting one of the two winter expeditions on K2 this year. This post will cover “K2 Winter Expedition 2020”. All individuals and organizations including media (social/electronic/print) outlets are requested to give credits (with backlinks) for all news and updates provided below. We wish all the mountain warriors in both expeditions best of luck. Please find daily updates on our expedition below.

News & Updates (latest first)

24th January, 2020

Read more: https://t.co/GU8i5Xh2f9 pic.twitter.com/0dmbrQwq11

— Apricot Tours – Pakistan (@apricottourspk) January 24, 2020

23rd January, 2020

#K2Winter2020 “Getting ready for tomorrow, the first rotation …. ” – John Snorri
Read More: https://t.co/7byYmNCzJz pic.twitter.com/irenk3OavZ

— Apricot Tours – Pakistan (@apricottourspk) January 23, 2020

22nd January, 2020

International K2 Winter Expedition team has finally made it to K2 base camp today i.e. Jan 22, 2020. They arrived at base camp around 2 pm today according to John Snorri’s last sent location. The team had crossed Concordia on Jan 20th and due to bad snow conditions, it took them almost 3 days from Concordia to K2 base camp that would normally take 7 hours. John Snorri wrote:

“The whole team has finally reached K2 base camp after 9days on the Baltoro glacier. We have been establishing our camp in -27°C. Tomorrow is a resting day..we are all tired after tough days. Friday we will start our first rotation. Up to ABC through the icefall. We need to set a safe rout up.”

The team has set camp at an elevation of 16,285.56 ft (4,963m) at base camp (Latitude: 35.831930, Longitude: 76.507930). You can also see their location on the maps given below.

K2 Winter Expedition team makes it to base camp today (22nd Jan, 2020) at 2pm.

K2 Winter Expedition team makes it to base camp today (22nd Jan, 2020) at 2pm.

January 22, 2020: First photograph of International K2 Winter Expedition team from K2 base camp. Source: John Snorri

17th January, 2020

International Winter K2 Expedition team reached Camp Urdukas today. Our local mountaineer and mountain guide Sirbaz called Apricot Tours office via Satellite phone to update us about the progress so far. Speaking to us, he informed us that all team members are doing well and healthy. The staff and porters area also doing well. Sirbaz informed us that the snow conditions were terrible while crossing Baltoro and walking towards Urdukas (see on map below). He said they plan to walk up to Camp Goro II tomorrow (Saturday) according to schedule. They will reach Concordia day after tomorrow i.e. Sunday. He also officially informed the office about other details of the trek so far.

14th January, 2020

K2 Winter 2020 team left for Askole this morning along more than four dozen porters. More local news channels have started reporting the story. The videos below are Channel 92 and TheWeeklyPakistan’s coverage of the story.

13th January, 2020

The team has decided to rest in Askole today due to the long and bumpy ride yesterday. They plan start walking tomorrow. K2 base camp trek begins in the remote village of Askole (see on map above), where the trail winds its way along the grand Braldu Valley before mounting the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia.

The expedition has started getting coverage on locals news. Two videos from local news are visible below.

12th January, 2020

International K2 Winter Expedition team has reached Askole. It was snowing when the team left Skardu in the afternoon. It took seven vehicles to transport the remaining supplies, porters and members of the team. Normally it takes about 8 hours to reach Askole in winters. According to one of the drivers, Muhammad Khan, the road was mostly covered with snow but the team members seemed excited.

Logistics staff about to load the vehicles with climber’s personal luggage.

Logistics staff keeping a count of climber’s personal luggage.

Lining up luggage before departure to Askole.

Logistics staff loading the vehicles with climber’s personal luggage.

Breakfast before departing for Askole.

11th January, 2020

Mingma G and his team try their mountain equipment and do some last minute shopping. The team also gets to meet the local press for short interviews. A small photo session also takes place at the hotel. Mountain Guide Sarbaz organizes the final minute documentation since the complete team is in Skardu now. The last minute documents get approved and the team is good to move towards Askole tomorrow. Half of the porters left with half the supplies towards Askole today.

Last minute shopping at a local mountain equipment store.

Climbers talking to local press in Skardu.

Photo session of International K2 Winter Expedition 2020 at the hotel.

Climbers talking to local press in Skardu.

Last minute shopping at a local mountain equipment store.

Photo session of International K2 Winter 2020 at the hotel.

Photo session for sponsors

10th January, 2020

The team in Skardu spends the day waiting for Mingma G while Mingma’s group leaves Chilas early morning and reaches Skardu in the evening. They have joined their group and everyone seems happy.

09th January, 2020

Mingma G, Gao Li and Liason Offer for the expedition were not able to fly to Skardu today due to bad weather. They started their journey by road. They will spend the night in Chilas before continuing their journey again next day.

08th January, 2020

Mingma G and Gao Li arrive in Islamabad in the morning. They were supposed check-in again to fly to Skardu but unfortunately their flight cancelled. They spent the day in Islamabad resting.

Salar, Mingma G and Gao Li in Islamabad.

07th January, 2020

Today the team enjoys their time in Skardu taking warm meals and taking short walks in the city near the hotel.
Mingma and Gao Li are expected to arrive in the morning and leave for Skardu directly from the airport. If weather permits and the flight operates, Mingma and Gao Li should join their team tomorrow.

The team outside Apricot Tours’s Skardu office.

International K2 Winter Expedition 2020 having lunch at their hotel in Skardu

The team taking a stroll around Skardu

06th January, 2020

Since there are no flights to Skardu on 6th and 7th of January, the five members and mountain guide Sarbaz Khan flew to Gilgit airport to avoid the very long journey to Skardu by road. They left for Skardu from Gilgit by road which normally takes about 7 to 8 hours. Due to road blocks and weather conditions, it took the team about 16 hours to reach Skardu. Upon reaching Skardu, the team was transferred to the hotel for rest.

Last night: The team meeting with journalists and local mountaineer community in Islamabad

A gift of “K2 Cake” by the local mountaineering community in Islamabad

05th January, 2020

Three sherpas for the expedition including Tamting Sherpa , Pasang Namgel Sherpa, Kili Pempa Sherpa reach Islamabad today. Sarbaz Khan received them at the airport at around 9am in the morning. They later met Tomaz Rotar and John Snorri at the hotel in Islamabad. After resting a little, Apricot Tours organized an official briefing with Mr. Karrar from Alpine Club of Pakistan. After lunch, all five participants met with journalists for profiling and interviews. The later part of the day was spent with the local mountaineering community who had invited the mountaineers for dinner. A cake (K2 cake) was cut followed by dinner. The last stop was made at the Apricot Tours office for further discussions.

A group photos of Nepali Sherpas with team members, journalist, tour operator and Liason Offier (LO).

Briefing session for K2 Winter Expedition 2020

04th January, 2020

Two members of K2 winter expedition John Snorri and Tomaz arrive in Islamabad today. John arrived at 7am, followed by Tomaz at 9am. Three sherpas for the expedition including Tamting Sherpa , Pasang Namgel Sherpa, Kili Pempa Sherpa leave Kathmandu today to arrive in Islamabad on 5th January.  Mingma Sherpa and Gao Li fly two days later. You can find today’s stories (videos) on our instagram page.

K2 winter expedition members John Snorri and Tomaz Rotar meet in Islamabad.

Tomaz and John share some kebabs with mountain guide Sirbaz and tour operators.

3rd January, 2020

Apricot Tours officials meet with the Liason Officer today to discuss the arrangements.

31st December, 2020

Apricot Tours receive more equipment from Nepal. It was also shipped to Skardu today.

24th December, 2019

The mountaineering equipment for K2 winter expedition 2020 reached Islamabad today from Nepal. The equipment was received by Apricot Tours at the cargo of Islamabad International Airport.

Salar receiving the K2 winter expedition equipment from the authorities.

 31st December, 2019

There is a change in the number of team leaders for this expedition today. Mingma G and John Snorri  both are now the team leaders of the expedition. However Mingma G will remain the climbing leader.

20th December, 2019

The climbing permit for “K2 Winter Expedition 2024-25” was issued yesterday (19th December, 2019). The team leader of the expedition is Nepalese mountaineer Mingma Gyalje Sherpa. Permission has been granted for a total of 7 mountaineers listed below:

1. Mingma Gyalje Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
2. Tamting Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
3. Pasang Namgel Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
4. Kili Pempa Sherpa (Nepal) – view profile
5. John Snorri Sigurionsson (Iceland) – view profile
6. Gao Li (China) – view profile
7. Tomaz Rotar (Slovenia) – view profile

19th December, 2019

The K2 winter expedition 2020 will be led by Sarbaz Khan as the local mountain guide. He belongs to the Karakorams (Hunza Valley). His past 8,000er mountaineering records include summit of K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Manaslu, Lhotse, all without oxygen. He was on the team of the first autumn ascent of Nanga Parbat. Sarbaz has summited all 8,000ers on his first attempt except K2. He summited K2 on the 2nd attempt. He was able to reach 7,350m on his first attempt. Sarbaz Khan is the first Pakistan to conquer Lhotse in Nepal.

Sarbaz Khan (the young mountaineer from Pakistan)

9th November, 2019

While the team is still seeking sponsorship, Apricot Tour decides to drop supplies at K2 base camp with more than 50 porters.

14th October, 2019

Apricot Tours has officially applied for climbing permits for an international team of mountaineers. The names of the mountaineers will be disclosed later since the team is still seeking funding for the adventure.

The route for the expedition is given below.

Important Note: Please do not forget to give credits (with backlinks: www.apricottours.pk) where credit is due.

History of K2 Winter Expeditions

• 1987-1988: Polish National K2 expedition was led by Andrzej Zawada. The maximum elevation achieved was 7,300m.
• 2002-2003: Polish National K2 Expedition was led by Krzystof Wielicki from the Chinese side. The maximum elevation achieved was 7,650m.
• 2011-2012: Russian National K2 Winter Expedition was led by Victor Kozlov. The maximum elevation achieved was 7,200m.
• 2014-15: International expedition comprising of Denis Urubko, Alex Txikon and Adam Bielecki was not issued permit by Chinese government due to political unrest.
• 2017-18: Polish National K2 Expedition was led by Krzystof Wielicki from the Pakistan side. The maximum elevation achieved was 7,400m. Denis Urubko and Adam Bielecki were part of the team.
• 2024-25: Two separate expeditions from Pakistan side. One expedition led by Vassily Pivtsov and comprised of Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzia. The other comprised of Spaniards and Nepalese.
• 2024-25: Two separate expeditions from Pakistan side. One expedition includes the Russian-Polish leader, Denis Urubko, Don Bowie (Canada) and Lotta Hintsa (Finland) who are aiming first for Broad Peak and then K2. Miss Lotta might not take part in climbing K2. The other team includes citizens of Nepal, Iceland, China and Slovenia. It is led by Mingma Gyalje Sherpa.