There was some uncertainty about the whereabouts of Argentinian climber Ignacio “Nacho” Lucero, who was descending from Broad Peak when night fell on the mountain yesterday. Lucero launched a risky summit push despite buried ropes and high avalanche risk at 7,500m. All the other climbers had retreated and, eventually, Lucero also turned around.
Today, Akhbar Syed released a video of Lucero returning to Base Camp, seemingly in good health. Lucero was the last person on the mountain.
On K2, Garrett Madison has confirmed that all climbers are back down. “Our Sherpas will do a final trip to Camp 2 [today] to retrieve some gear and then we’re done,” he said. The Gasherbrums are also deserted.
Madison Mountaineering’s climbers on top of K2. Photo: Madison Mountaineering
The climbing season on Pakistan’s 8000ers has come to an end, but not the reporting. There are climbers with stories to tell, some questions that still require answers, claims to be investigated, and lessons to learn. There will be time for reflection, about what has changed, and where high-altitude climbing in the Karakorum is heading.
