Winter Polish K2 Expedtion

An expedition led by Krzysztof Wielicki is currently attempting the first winter ascent of K2

January 2003

The North Face of K2, in winter - an immense challenge! Just as the editors of russianclimb.com wrote, this is perhaps one of the most demanding 8000m expeditions in the last decade. Led by the Himalayan veteran Krzysztof Wielicki (Wielicki has successfully summited all fourteen 8000m peaks and is a specialist in winter ascents), the Polish expedition is currently attempting the first winter ascent of the magnificent North Face of the second highest mountain in the world.

After having established Base Camp at 5100m and endured temperatures as low as - 30Â°C, the expedition has now begun the mammoth climb in earnest, fixing ropes along the line of ascent and establishing Camp 1 at 6000m. The strong team of mountaineers includes, amongst others, Denis Urubko, who on 21 January sent the following email from Base Camp via a satellite phone provided by the Polish newspaper "Rzeczpospolita":

"Den dobiy, as we say here in Poland!
Today we left the Camp 2, which we established yesterday. There were three of us - Ilias, Vasilliy and me. Starting from Camp 1 in 5.30 am we crossed 950 m of the fixed ropes, which our team has prepared before, and fixed the next 400 m ropes. The weather was good till 3.00 pm, but later we caught the very strong and cold wind. In this time I worked ahead, and we went by rocks and ice to the ridge at 6700m, where we spent the night. It was difficult, because we slept in one sleeping bag. During the night the tent was jumping, shaking by the wind. In 6 hours we descended to ABC, where the team met us with the meat soup.
We have some problems with Internet , so I can't check the letters. Excuse me, please. But my best wishes for everybody who thinks about us.
Ciao!"

Denis 21 January, 12-15 am

Winter Polish Expedition members:
Krzysztof Wielicki Leader Poland, Jacques Olek Deputy Leader Canada, Jacek Berbeka Poland
Marcin Kaczkan Poland, Piotr Morawski Poland, Jerzy Natkanski (Poland), Maciej Pawlikowski (Poland), Jan Szulc (Poland), Dariusz Zaluski (Poland), Gia Tortladze (Georgia), Denis Urubko (Kazakhstan), Vasilij Pivtsov (Kazakhstan), Ilias Thukvatulin (Uzbekistan), Bogdan Jankowski (Poland) Technical Operator, Roman Mazik (Poland) Doctor,
Support team, consist of 5 Pakistani porters and 6 Polish young mountaineers for transport of equipment to the base camp (5100 m) on the K2 Glacier.