July 29th

Camp 2 to basecamp

I woke at daybreak, feeling as though I was emerging from a state of suspended animation. Initially, the tent was silent, leading me to believe the storm had passed, only to realize it was the snow covering the tent that was muffling all outside sounds. The night had been cold and the 3 of us huddled close together to try to stay warm. Since my down suit had gotten wet the previous day I had slept only in my long underwear and coat. I put the down suit inside my sleeping bag with the hopes my body heat would dry it but, in the morning, to my chagrin I discovered it was no longer in my sleeping bag but instead frozen nearly solid next to my sleeping bag. I reluctantly brought the icy block into my sleeping bag to thaw since I knew I needed to wear it for the descent.

Thundu and Lhakpa fired up our stove, melting snow for drinking water and hot beverages. With no food left, we rummaged around in the presumed abandoned tent we were using and found some instant soup and tea. We ate what we could, knowing our bodies needed the calories. None of us were in a rush to brave the storm outside. Although a part of me longed to wait out the blizzard, Mingma G’s voice crackling over the radio urged us to press on with the descent.

Houses Chimney – Photo Credit Mingma G

K2 Basecamp – Photo Credit Mingma G

Exiting the tent, we were immediately hit by the storm, with visibility limited by the heavy snowfall and strong winds. Navigating the rappels was challenging and I was grateful for the assistance from Lhakpa and Thundu. When we arrived at House’s Chimney, we encountered two figures part way down who appeared to be stuck. Attempts to communicate were in vain due to the roaring wind. After a long wait, Lhakpa descended towards them. Tensions ran high as we feared for their safety, but thankfully, they were able to resume their descent towards C1 unharmed. This puzzling encounter emphasized the disorienting nature of exhaustion at high altitudes, leaving me relieved as we reached Camp 1.

The descent from C1 was uneventful, with slightly improved weather. The trek down to ABC seemed endless, but the relief of still being alive renewed our energy.

When we arrived at ABC I felt tremendous relief. We were greeted by one of our cooks who brought us Coke Cola and candy. This might have been the best tasting sugar I had ever consumed. After a brief rest, we embarked on the familiar journey back to basecamp under a clear, starlit sky, cautiously navigating the remaining crevasses.

Back at base camp, we were warmly welcomed by Mingma G, the cooks, and our teammates. Enjoying hot soup and French fries, I made sure not to overeat to avoid feeling sick later.

As I settled into my tent, reflecting on the day, I felt overwhelmingly grateful for Lhakpa and Thundu. Their support during the descent was invaluable, and I knew their presence had been crucial for our survival.

Video of downclimbing between upper C2 and lower C2 on a different day with good weather. Video credit: Lhakpa Tenjing Sherpa.

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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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