Nirmal Purja and Gesman Tamang of Bremont Project Possible, and Lakpa Dendi Sherpa and Chhangba Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks stood on the top of K2 at 7:50am, Pakistan time. The four set off from Camp 4 on the Abruzzi Spur route at 10:20pm on July 23 and fixed ropes to the summit after an eight-hour push, reported expedition leader Dawa Sherpa from Base Camp.
Theirs are the first K2 summits this season — and in fact, this year — since winter attempts in January and February failed. For Nirmal Purja, K2 marks his 10th 8000’er in just over three months, as counted from when he stood on the summit of Annapurna on April 23.
Adrian Ballinger and Carla Perez, climbing without O2 and supported by Esteban Mena, Namgye and Pemba Gelje Sherpa, also summited. We can’t yet confirm that they made it all the way without supplementary oxygen. In our latest update, Purja and the opening team have returned to Base Camp, while Ballinger and Perez have descended to Camp 4.
K2 from Base Camp. Photo: Imagine Nepal
In addition, a large number of climbers is currently on their way to Camp 4, aiming for the summit tomorrow, now that the trail has been opened and fixed with ropes.
Stay tuned for further updates as climbers progress toward the summit and Purja and the Sherpas make their way down.
