K2

With all that went on during the Mont Blanc summit attempt, it was easy to forget the tragedy that occurred on K2 during the start of our time in Chamonix. I blocked it out of my mind, otherwise I may have let it affect my motivation and judgement. It is only now that I have read back on news articles relating to the incident. In the end, 11 are presumed dead with the last survivor now safely airlifted out and being treated in Italy for severe frostbite. It is the worst disaster to have hit the mountain in its history. A full account can be found at www.k2climb.net including a host of personal blogs by some of the expedition members.

It would also seem that the avalanche alone was not purely responsible for the deaths, part of the blame could reside with the climbers themselves. Inexperience has been mooted by a couple of the climbers themselves, especially where the positioning of fixed lines were concerned.