K2 2004: 5 Balti porters drowned:  Italian expedition Everest/K2 2004 expedition

K2 2004 - 50 years later

The news that 5 Balti porters drowned, swept away by the current of the river that parallels the trail that brings expeditions in to base camp on K2, reached the Italian expedition climbers already at the foot of the mountain through the communications official/spokesperson.

The tragedy occurred this past Saturday in the initial portion of the long trip (100 kilometers in 5 days), just as the last group of italian climbers making their way to base camp was less than a day's walk away from camp.

Due to the overcrowded number of expeditions headed to K-2 this year because of the 50th anniversary of the first climb, it had been impossible at Askole (the village from where the long trek to base camp initiates), to find a sufficient number of porters to carry in the more than 5 tons of materials and equipment destined for the K2-2004 expedition base camp.

In accordance with the responsible government official--who coordinates the activities of the porters leaving from Askole--it had been agreed that a portion of the equipment would be left behind awaiting the arrival of new porters for the journey.

During the first portion of the itinerary it is necessary to pass over the tempestuous rapids of the Braldo river, often with very difficult mid-waist wading across the river.  In fact, just three years ago, a new trail was opened up with the additional construction of a steel bridge for the river crossing.  Unfortunately, it involves a longer distance with a path which deviates from the original one. 

Having arrived at the traditional crossing, the porters: Sher Muhammed, Nazir, Jaffar, Hassan and Noor decided to cross the river at the old crossing, by holding hands. This had often been done in the past.  This time they were betrayed by the strong river currents. The rapids, engorged with the recent rains, dragged all five of them a long way downriver, causing them to disappear in the rapids of the Braldo.

On the scene a rescue was attempted by pakistani military from a nearby base, who recovered 2 of the bodies.  A third body was found even further down the river valley and posed a difficult retrieval operation before being extricated.

Agostino da Polenza, team leader declared that this was truly an emotional tragedy for everyone involved in the K2-2004 expedition.  The Balti porters are our expedition companions.  We acknowledge the daily difficulties they incur to do their jobs so well.  There is still a long way to go to make that job a safer one.

copyright Italian expedition Everest/K2 2004 expedition Expedition

 

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