Tamara Lunger – K2 Updates
Tamara Lunger went back to K2 this summer
Just six months after leaving the mountain she felt the need to return and we followed her journey with this diary.
3rd August
“I’m so happy that we didn’t give up despite all the obstacles and that we were able to come here to Pakistan to kick off the @climbingforareason project!
“Seeing these shy girls gaining more and more confidence hour after hour and freely expressing their enthusiasm is an indescribable thrill!
And it’s a counterbalance to the renewed pain for missing JP, who should have been here with us.
“We found ourselves here for this very cool thing and we’re going to try our hardest to create that lasts and gives joy, passion and maybe a promising future! “
31st July
“When they found the bodies of JP, Ali and John, we were in Concordia but we had to continue our trek in order to get to Shigar for our #climbingforareason project, which is really a project that we are also carrying on in JP’s name.
“The last few days have been really intense and full of emotions!
All the people who have been living this adventure with me have helped me to see again this magical environment around me and to make peace with K2.
“Let me also say that I am very proud of my little friend @federer_max, who at 11 years old has already done the ascent of Gondogoro La (5600m)!
“Let’s keep going!”
26th July
“The ceremony for our friends was a big moment. It was important for all of us to have it done.
“Never could I have said that it would help me feel liberated, find peace and understand that happiness, real happiness, has really deep roots.
“I am so proud of all of us who had the desire and then the courage to go through something so intense and difficult.
“There is no more hatred in my heart for K2. She is always there where she belongs, with her majesty and tranquility. We are the ones who choose our state of mind in relation to her.
“It’s time to move on.”
23rd July
“K2, I love you and I hate you!
“It’s very beautiful and at the same time very difficult to be here again.”
19th July
“The last few days I’ve been asking myself why I like Pakistan, why I’m drawn to it, why I’m going back.
“The answer is: for love. Love for the landscapes, the mountains, the wilderness, the local people and everyone I meet and are on the road like me.
“Even though the last expedition tested me and broke my heart, this place has given me so much! And now it’s time to give something back to this country.
“We set off again for the hike to K2 base camp, and our thoughts are fixed on the beautiful beloved souls lost there.”
7th July
“In a few days I am leaving again for Pakistan! I’m going back with joy and fear at the same time, but above all I’m going back with an open heart and a mission!
“Monday July 5th was the 6 month anniversary of that fateful day! What could have been a day of great joy, was instead the day that changed everything, bringing with it really difficult moments, and pain and sadness. It feels like yesterday and at the same time it feels like a lifetime ago. What remains the same is how much JP is missed! Sergi, Alì, Jon and Atanas as well of course!
“Every difficult and painful moment can also bring with it something beautiful and in this case it’s this: we decided to take the baton and carry on the project that JP cared so much about goes on in his honor and memory, the project was to teach climbing to Pakistani children, in the Shigar Valley, certainly to make them have fun but also to guarantee them a future starting from the resources of their land.
“It’s called CLIMBING FOR A REASON! Super, right?
“And we are proud to be able to do this not only with boys but also with girls. Thanks to our friend Naila from Pakistan for this!
“We are leaving in a few days, do you also feel like participating and helping?
Info and link to crowdfunding here https://gogetfunding.com/climbing-for-a-reason/
Thank you very much. This project is worth so much to me.”
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