‘K2 – The Calling’ for Elia Saikaly
Elia Saikaly will join Sajid Sadpara on K2 this summer as they search for the 3 climbers that went missing and died on the mountain earlier this year.
The award winning film maker and mountaineer described their plan to look for John Snorri, Juan Pablo Mohr and Sajid’s father Ali Sadpara;
“I’m in Pakistan and headed to K2 with Sajid Sadpara to search for his father, Ali Sadpara and our dear friend John Snorri.
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“The truth is: I just couldn’t do nothing. These are our friends. These were our teammates. We were making a film about their winter ascent. We were supposed to be with them the night they disappeared with JP Moer and we are likely alive because fate intervened as an oxygen mix-up forced PK and I back just below camp 3. Ali, JP Mohr and John never returned. Sajid survived.
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“While climbing Everest this spring, I obsessively sought out support to finish our film and honor our friends, yet in the end, we failed to gain financial support, as did Sajid. Unwilling to quit, in the last two weeks, our tiny unit pulled off a miracle and today, a very grown-up Sajid launched the project in the Pakistani press.
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“@sherpapk will be with us as will Fazal Ali, Mosin, Aziz and the cooking staff from the winter ascent. Asghar from @jasminetourspakistan helped us pull it all together at the 11th hour. PK Sherpa moved mountains in Nepal to ensure we have all that we need.
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“I’ve flipped my entire world and my finances upside-down, but I don’t care. I’ll clean the mess up when I get home. It’s incredible what a few people can pull together with will and determination. sherpapk @vobonline @sajidalisadpara @hassan.bin.aftab @hc_wendy_gilmour, Rao and Moira- you’re the people who helped make this happen.
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“For all those who asked over the past months, there’s just no way we wouldn’t be here.
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“This is our quest to find answers. This is about honor, loyalty and friendship. This is for Sajid. This is for Ali. This is for John. And this is for Pakistan.”
It’s time to announce that @EliaSaikaly and I are going to K-2 for a ground search of the 3 missing climbers of K-2Winter2021 including my father Ali Sadpara. To find out what happened to them & possibility of his recovery. Need lots of prayers and good wishes #AliSadpara pic.twitter.com/bA0biyMd0U
— Sajid Ali Sadpara (@sajid_sadpara) June 24, 2021
