Thursday, March 28, 2024
Broad PeakK2

Madison Mountaineering team lands in Karakoram

The Madison Mountaineering 2021 K2 / Broad Peak expedition is underway and the team has arrived in the town of Skardu, Pakistan.

Here’s expedition leader, Garrett Madison, with the initial dispatch:

“Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering K2 and Broad Peak expedition team! Today’s June 27th and we are in Skardu, Pakistan. We flew from Islamabad this morning. Had a beautiful flight – smooth and great views of mountains on both sides of the aircraft.”

“Landed in Skardu and we’ve been organizing equipment and getting all packed up for our journey by jeep tomorrow to Jhola camp (3151m/10,338ft). The road has been improved since the last time we were here two years ago. So instead of driving only to Askole, we should be able to drive further to Jhola camp, which is normally the first camp on the trek to base camp.

“So, we are looking forward to an early breakfast tomorrow, starting the jeep drive by 07:00 AM. Hopefully it will be good weather and we get to Jhola camp by the evening time, can set up camp, and start trekking the next day.”

“We’re happy to be here, our sherpa team is here, our Pakistani team is here, and all of our other climbers from America, Britain, and the Ukraine are all here. We are excited to be in Pakistan and begin our expedition!”

The team includes Garrett, Kenton Cool and Jon Gupta among other foreign guides and will work alongside Masherbrum Expeditions Treks and Tours.