GasherDreams 2009

...de partida...

Está quase...quase quase...já não contamos os dias mas as horas.

Às 18:35 de Domingo (7 de Junho), entramos no avião para Londres, iniciando assim o percurso que nos levará ao sopé do Gasherbrum II.

We’re almost going...we’re already not counting the days, but the hours.

At 18:35, next Sunday (7^th of June), we get in the plain heading to London, starting the journey that will lead us to Gasherbrum II

Após 1 ano o nosso sonho volta a transformar-se em realidade. Não foi fácil percorrer os dias que nos separaram desta aventura. Não foi fácil, mas passamos por eles cheios de entusiasmo e a acreditar sempre que era possível voltar (apesar de vermos as nossas carteiras cada dia mais vazias, já que desta, a expedição saiu-nos financeiramente do bolso...todinha!).

After one whole year our dream came true. It was not easy to go by the days separating us of this adventure. It was not easy, but we lived them with enthusiasm, and believing at all times that it would be possible to go back (even when our wallets where getting more and more empty everyday, since we paid ourselves for this expedition…all of it!).

Relembro uma frase de um livro do Luís Sepúlveda, que desde que a li permanece na minha cabeça “Só consegue voar quem se atreve a faze-lo”.

Esta simples frase resume o percurso percorrido até aqui. Foi a acreditar e a trabalhar para este projecto, que o vamos conseguir realizar.

I now remember a sentence I once read in a Luís Sepulveda book, “It can only fly, the ones who dare to try it”.

This simple sentence explains all the way we’ve been to get here. It was believe and working hard for this expedition that we can now go for it.

Quebrando o romantismo e passando ao prático, deixamos aqui o programa de festas, para que saibam mais ou menos por onde andamos. Claro está que a coisa não é linear, nestas aventuras impera o planeamento à vista...mas cá vai (desculpem ir só em inglês, é que este é o plano escrito pela agencia que nos acompanha até ao campo base...já não tenho cabeça para traduzir tudo para português):

We now paste the approximate party program, so that you know more or less where we are. Of course this can change, in this kind of adventures one cannot plan it all, but here it goes…

PRÓXIMAS NOVIDADES...JÁ DO PAQUISTÃO!

ATÉ BREVE...

Next post already from Pakistan...see you...

(O dia 1 será 9 de Junho, dia em que chegamos a Islamabad. Dia 11 de Agosto, voamos de volta a Portugal)

(Day 1 will be 9th of June, when we will arrive in Islamabad. On the 11^th of August, we fly back to Portugal)

DAY 01 & 02 ARRIVAL RAWALPINDI / ISLAMABAD

Upon arrival met and transfer to hotel in Rawalpindi. After a short rest drive to Islamabad, Ministry of Tourism to complete the necessary formalities and obtain climbing permit.

DAY 03 RAWALPINDI/SKARDU

Fly to Skardu, If unable to fly, same day we will drive to Skardu 2300m, spending a night in Chilas.

DAKY 04 SKARDU

Emergency day in case, flight does not operate on day 03 this day will be use to transfer the members by road from Chilas to Skardu. Total drive time from Islamabad to Skardu is 22-24 hours.

DAY 05 SKARDU

Final arrangement for the expedition.

DAY 06 SKARDU -TO- ASKOLE

Embark jeeps for a full day ride on a winding jeep trail to Askole 3050m - The last village on our way to the Great Glaciers. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Distance 96 Km, Drive 07-08 Hrs. Altitude 3050 M.

Note :-The road to Askole comes undergoing rapid erosion and gets closed quite often. If unable to jeep, the group will disembark & walk to Askole on the same day or camp for overnight (subject to distance).

DAY 07 ASKOLE -TO- KOROPHONE

Today we leave the last inhabited village. For the remaining portion of our journey we rely on our porters who carry our food and equipment for the expedition. After scrambling over a ridge we come across what legend says an old polo field. Passing through a rock gap we cross the Biafo glacier and camp beside its snout at korophone. The Biafo Glacier is a huge river of ice 63 Km long which descends from the central peaks of the Karakoram & flows East into the Braldu Valley at a point about 10 Kms east of Askole. Overnight in tents All meals served by camp staff. Walk : 03 - 04 hrs, Grade : Easy, Altitude : 3100 M,

DAY 08 KOROPHONE -TO- JHULA

Trek to the Dumurdo river cross at Jhula, (Jhula means wire rope bridge sported by a wooden basket), now a wooden bridge is made cross it & camp beside a torrent facing the Bakhordas. Walk : 03-04 hrs, Grade : Strenuous, Altitude : 3150 M

DAY 09 JHULA -TO- PAIJU

Resume trek along the Braldu River to a green Oasis under the shadows of Paiju Peak 6611 M. Paiju - is a Balti word which means "SALT". Since there are some rock salt deposits at the base of this peak, the locals believe that the snow on the summit of Paiju Peak is not snow but a huge deposit of salt which drips down to the base. From this camp we have the first views of the impressive Baltoro Glacier. Overnight in tents. Walk : 05-06 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude : 3480 M.

DAY 10 PAIJU - Rest Day

Rest & acclimatization day at Piaju. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.

DAY 11 PAIJU -TO- URDUKAS

Begin trek after an early breakfast. Traverse the junction of Paiju - Baltoro Glaciers through crevasses & lunch below Liligo, the traditional camp under the muddy cliffs with fine views of rock spires. Cross the Khuburse torrent early morning and ramble over two glacier moraines to reach the grassy slopes of Urdukas offering splendid views of the Trango, Uli Biaho & Bial Groups. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : 06-07 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude : 4130 M

DAY 12 URDUKAS -TO- GORO

A long walk on the icy Baltoro Glacier. Traverse the Yermanandu Glacier which flows down from Masherbrum & joins the Baltoro. Magnificent views of Muztagh, Mitre & Gasherbrum IV. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : 06-07 hrs, Grade : Strenuous, Altitude : 4500 M.

DAY 13 GORO TO CONCORDIA

After an early breakfast, resume a long walk on the Baltoro Glacier to a point called Concordia - a huge junction of Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers at 4000 meters . Within a short radius of 15 Kilometers, stand 41 peaks over 6500 meters. including 04 peaks above 8000 M. The 360 view offers a panorama of peaks nowhere to be found on this Earth. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : 05 - 06 hrs, Grade : strenuous, Altitude : 4720 M.

DAY 14 CONCORDIA REST DAY

Final day of trek to Gasherbrum base. A 4-6 hrs trek will bring you to the base of Gasherbrum, here you will say good bye to your porters for about 5 weeks. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : 04-06 hrs, Grade : strenuous, Altitude : 4650 M.

DAY 15 CLIMBING

DAY 56 CLIMBING

41 days of non guided climb will start from today. During the climbing period our staff will be at base camp to help and assist you.

DAY 57 TREKKING BACK TO ALI CAMP

After an early breakfast leave the K2 base camp and we will cross Concordia and several side glacier to reach our right path. After 4-5 hours we will reach Vigne glacier, it is also possible to walk on the Vigne glacier which is fairly easy then walking on the stony bath on the right side of the glacier but it depend on the snow condition. Overnight in tents..

DAY 58 ALI CAMP -CROSS GONDOGORO PASS- KHUSPANG

A very early start as early as 2 or 3 O’clock does in the morning to cross the Gondogoro la to reach Khuspang. The basic theme behind the early walk to reach the top of the Gondogoro Pass 5700 meters is that in the morning snow will be soft and you will not get tired quickly as the sun is not strong, but as sun get strong snow get soft, snow going to be melt and bring water and stones, also the chance of ice falls or avalanches. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : 10 - 11 hrs, Grade : Strenuous, Altitude : 5700 M

DAY 59 KHUSPANG -TO- SHAICHO

After a couple of minutes of easy walk we will comes onto the glacier. You pick your way across moving boulders and ice, finally crossing the glacier up to the camping site to reach Dalsangpa, meaning 'field of flowers', lives up to its name. It is a beautiful campsite at about 4,150 meters, set between two lakes, with Masherbrum Mountain and the white glacier cascading down from Masherbrum Pass reflected in the still water. Resume trek along the path, Keep yourself on the left side of the lateral moraine, crossing several side streams. The next hour is an unpleasant scramble along the stony, sliding glacier edge, with huge boulders poised above, ready to fall.

Continue your trek along the path goes down hill to the summer settlement called Shaicho, a large shepherds settlement with its won mosque, now here you can find a hotel and mountaineering equipment shop. This is the traditional camp among the forest of juniper, cedar and willow trees with giant bushes of wild roses and a good water supply. Walk : 07-08 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude :.

DAY 60 SHAICHO -TO- HUSHEY

After breakfast continue your walk along the Hushey river on a easy path. Upon arrival camp near the fields in Hushey village. An easy day will bring you to Hushey village. Evening free. Overnight in tents.

DAY 61 HUSHEY -TO- SKARDU

AM : Embark jeeps for a full day ride on a winding jeep trail to Skardu. Upon arrival transfer to your chosen hotel. All meals included.

DAY 62 SKARDU - RAWALPINIDI

Early in the morning fly to Islamabad, if unable to fly same day drive to Gilgit. Overnight hotel.

DAY 63 RAWALPINDI

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Rawalpindi. Evening sightseeing.

If unable to fly on day 62. this day will be use to transfer from Gilgit to Islamabad by road.

DAY 64 RAWALPINDI

De-briefing at Ministry of Tourism Islamabad. Evening free

DAY 65 FLY BACK HOME

Transfer to airport for your onward flight to abroad.

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