Carlos Pauner GI and GII Expedition 2004

It looks like the gods of the Karakorum are a little upset.  Except for the other day when they let us go out and settle camp I, the weather has been bad.  It snows and this doesn't help to get rid of the snow on these giants which we have in front of us.  So, we only have to wait, without letting our spirit diminish and enjoying what we have.  That is, magnificent views all around, a comfortable mess tent and what about those palaces we have for personal tents.  We spend most of the time here.  Sometimes writing, sometimes listening to music and others, only letting our minds fly while the monotonous sound of the snow falling on nylon acts like tantra, helping the mind travel far without rush.  In the beginning, it is hard to get used to this sensation of vertigo built because of the fact of having so much time and not being able to do nothing with it, nothing of what has brought you here.  Then, after many expeditions, one can find this easier and one can even enjoy these moments, knowing that those who fight and give their effort, without a doubt, will get there.  From time to time, we break the routine, making some aperitif with the produce we have brought from home or even, thanks to the new technologies, we have a de luxe cinema session, with popcorn and everything.  It is funny to see how our cooks point to the screen and don't miss one detail, especially when the things get a little horny.  Some pictures make them laugh and others, we can't forget that they live in a world very different from ours, they don't understand.  Sometimes, looking with perspective, from here, our western world of living in the fast lane, there are some things I can't even understand myself.  But, well, the objective is achieved and during some time we all escape this glacial cold and we enjoy adventures in other places thousands of kilometers away.

Another distraction we have is when the night falls.  The cold gets intense and we have to look for shelter in the kitchen, probably the warmest place in the entire zone.  There, having a "cava" (don't think bad, that is the way they call the green tea), our cook in chief Ghulam and the liaison officer that stays with us during the whole expedition, Mansur, tell us stories of the region and with infinite patience  they answer our endless questions.  We have a good time, exchanging experiences by the firelight with a cup of hot tea in our hands.  It is very nice to understand each other, to exchange knowledge, one to one, from curiosity, from humanity itself.  Maybe it is these experiences what most enriches us humanly in a trip of these characteristics.  Now, I remember our friends who came with us to base camp.  They should already be back home, but I am sure they went back with a load of nice remembrances from this region of the planet, of their people and their arguments for life.  As you can see, time is not wasted, not even when the weather is bad.  To meditate, rest, write and learn from other people, make these inevitable periods of bad weather go by fast.  However, we hope with all the spirit of the world that we can work on the mountain.  I hope it to be soon. Carlos

Translated from Spanish by Jorge Rivera

 

Altitech2: Digital Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer. Time/Date/Alarms. Chronograph with 24 hour working range. Timer with stop, repeat and up function. Rotating Bezel. Leveling bubble. Carabiner latch. E.L. 3 second backlight. Water resistant. 4" x 2-1/4" x 3/4" 2 oz. Requires 1 CR2032 battery. See more here.

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