The team arrived back in Islamabad yesterday - the lucky team I've called it as two of us survived almost uninjured very long falls , myself down 30 meters of rock and Dimitar some 300m down snow and ice. 

Climbing conditions in the Karakorums were extremely bad and dangerous. Heavy snow falls in the winter combined with an intense monsoon meant lots of treacherous snow. Unfortunately I managed to lose my backpack containing my sleeping bag, tent, warm clothing and passport off of a cliff during my fall putting me out of the climb. I was stuck at camp with the bike for 5 straight days of snowfall.

Zdeno with Dimitar pushed on to the end. But eventually they conceded defeat and it was on the down climb that the fixed rope Dimitar was on suddenly vanished, presumably cut in an avalanche, and he went hurtling down the snow slope.

 
These are some initial photos on the walk out - in the next days I will write a fuller report, download and post some of the main photos. 
For now , greetings from Islamabad , Pakistan where I am waiting for a New Passport.

The last day in Skardu was spent shopping in the morning followed by a good walk up the nearest local berg. We aimed for a big black rock tower, although we knew we could never make it. We had our first deception that we all get in the Himalayas - it was deceptively large. After climbing to 3500m , 1250 above Skardu it looked even further away than when we had begun. It was still a good 1000 very steep meters above when we turned back arriving at night. A pleasant walk in the Karakorums!

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To the north we got views of the "foothills' , five to six thousand meter peaks on the way to the Baltoro, and below a very scenic Green Skardu.

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As the full moon rose over Kahurangi National park Mike, Bill, Pam ,Nika and I made a quick dash up Mt Arthur for a nights stay.

Along the misty ridge 

A Kea - New Zealands Alpine parrot followed us up - rather more easy going for a bird than us.

It was looking to bright on way up!!

Dusk on the summit , an Easterly rolled thru and we had a full moon to pitch the tents,

Dawn on top 

Within minutes of the sunrise a strong Nor Wester blew up which remained with us the rest of day - we were planning some rock climbing high on Mountain but went lower in search of shelter.

Just fooling around!! can't really say I enjoy rock climbing much but every bit of practice comes in handy. Never know when one may need it.

Mike and Bill posing for camera on way out. It seems that great minds - well maybe slightly crazy ones think alike. Completely unknown to me my Slovakian team mate Zendo who lives in Kunming China had the same idea over Easter - to climb up a mountain and stay the night - his was rather higher and more difficult than mine - check out his blog posthttp://2015broadpeak.blogspot.co.nz/p/novinky.html 



 

Nathan Dahlberg, Broad Peak, World Record, Mountaineer, Cyclist, Outdoors, Adventure, Mountians, Climbing, Hiking, Biking, Tour De France, Absolute Fitness, Kathmandu, broadpeak, Exploring, 8000m