K2

Day 2

Askole – Jhula

The bustling activity of the porters stirred me awake at around 5 am. They were eager to set off early before the heat became too intense. After the porters left on foot, the rest of us found ourselves with almost an entire day of rest in Askole. The arrival of our Gasherbrum teammates had been delayed due to a small landslide that had blocked the road for most of the day. Although I was eager to get going, I also appreciated the opportunity to explore the village while we awaited the arrival of the rest of the team.

It was captivating to witness the villagers, porters, and climbers preparing the supplies that would be carried to sustain the basecamps. Throughout the day, a group of women diligently laundered clothes at a communal water source. However, I felt a bit shy and unfamiliar with local customs, so I refrained from approaching them to ask for a photo.

By 4 pm, our teammates still hadn’t reached Askole. Mingma G, who had arrived late the night before, made the decision that PS, Hassam, Happy Sherpa and I should commence the journey to Jhula without the rest of the team. The drive to Jhula presented its challenges, as one of the main bridges had been washed away during the previous summer’s devastating monsoons. Our plan was to drive to the washed-out bridge, cross the river on foot, and then find another vehicle on the opposite side. Unfortunately, upon reaching the washed-out bridge, we encountered an irate jeep driver on the other side who had been waiting for our team most of the day. As a result, our trekking guide, Hassam, had to negotiate with him for over an hour before he agreed to drive the remaining distance to Jhula. I felt a sense of unease as darkness approached, and continuing the journey at night didn’t seem entirely safe.

Eventually, Hassam and the jeep driver found a resolution, allowing us to proceed to Jhula. We arrived there around 7:30 pm, fortunate to find that our team of porters, who had set off on foot early that morning, had already pitched tents awaiting our arrival. Mingma G and the rest of our teammates joined us later that night, finally arriving around 11 pm.

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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