The spring season in Nepal has just ended, but early-summer climbs in Pakistan are already about to begin. Anna Tybor and Paul Lafaille should reach Base Camp at Nanga Parbat today.
Tybor of Poland and Lafaille of France were not lucky in the first half of their climb+ski project. They spent over a month on Dhaulagiri but never had a chance to summit. No one did, including the rope-fixing team, which could not even reach Camp 3.
No luck on Dhaulagiri
Tybor and Lafaille aborted their Dhaulagiri attempt on May 15. After trekking out and resting for just one day in Kathmandu, they flew to Pakistan. Then ensued a long drive on bumpy roads to Chilas. After a two-day trek, they have arrived at Nanga Parbat’s Base Camp.
As on Dhaulagiri, their plan is to climb the mountain and ski down. Jasiek Korlatowicz, a photographer and mountain rescuer, has joined the team to document the expedition.
Nanga Parbat is the only 8,000’er in Pakistan not located in the Karakoram. It is part of Pakistan’s Himalaya. The monsoon hits it later than other Himalayan peaks, so nowadays, commercial teams typically try it in June and then head for the Karakoram in July.
Tybor and Lafaille are skimo racers and ski alpinists. Tybor has skied down Broad Peak and Manaslu. Lafaille, a regular skiing partner, has done many impressive ski descents in the Alps.
