Day 6

Goro II to Concordia

At this point, we had settled into the familiar rhythm of our trek. Rising at 6 am and hitting the trail by 7, we had ascended to an elevation where heat was no longer a concern.
Upon arriving in Concordia, I was utterly awestruck by the panoramic views. Often referred to as the ‘Throne Room of the Gods,’ this area lived up to its reputation. The vantage point offered a sweeping vista, showcasing K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II. Fortunate for us, the sun was shining, granting us a stunning view of these majestic peaks. I cherished the moment, profoundly aware of the privilege to be present, with most of the trek behind me and the climbing challenges ahead.

Upon arrival, Akbar from Lela Peaks graciously welcomed us into their spacious dining tent, its walls retracted to let the warm air in. This allowed us to dine while gazing at the awe-inspiring view of K2 and Broad Peak. A comforting bowl of hot noodle soup accompanied by some refreshing Coke was served. We shared the dining tent with our Gasherbrum team as well as Lela Peaks team of climbers, many of whom we had been with on Nanga Parbat the previous month.

Since June, my teammates had been cautioning me about diarrheal illness in Concordia from the previous year. This put me on high alert about everything that passed my lips. As I searched the campsite for running water, I found only small glacial pools with murky water. Behind every large boulder, I found feces with its tell-tale white flag of toilet paper. With time on our side, I strolled along the glacier until I found a source of running water. After filling both my Nalgene bottles, I treated the water twice with my Steri-pen. Upon returning to camp, my teammates developed a newfound interest in the Steri-Pen, which just a few days earlier they had been skeptical about.
Soon after sunset, I crawled into my sleeping bag to listen to an audiobook, and before long, I was sound asleep.

Support Ascend Leadership Through Athletics

I am raising money for Ascend. After years of climbing some of the world’s highest peaks, I believe it’s crucial to support the communities living in the shadows of these mountains. During my travels and climbs in Pakistan in the summer of 2023, I was disheartened by the lack of Pakistani mountain guides, particularly women. Observing this situation ignited a heartfelt desire within me to empower young women in these areas. That’s why I’m teaming up with Ascend Athletics.

Ascend Athletics is an international nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women through mountaineering-based leadership training and community service. Their mission deeply resonates with my own dedication to fostering female strength and resilience.

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