05.08.01
This day begins as the day before ended: with snowfall. During the night, about 40 cm newly fallen snow precipitated and obscured the fix ropes and the trail. Markus and Christian could not wait longer anymore and prepared to descend. First, the get on fast on their skis with descents up to 40 degrees. But there was a high risk to fall down steep parts because range of sight was very low. So they decide to take off their skis and to the climbing-irons again. They needed 5 hours to get downhill to camp 2 compared to only 30 minutes the last time. At least, the sky cleared some hundred meters above camp 2 and they could do some ski downhill the last stage.
They made a longer rest at camp 2 in order to descend further to the base camp. But, after having 2 days of terrible weather, the good weather destroyed their plan. The sun smelted the newly snowed descents and there was a high risk for avalanches. Therefore they spent anothe half day at camp 2 and used the next morning for thed descending
Lydia and Ralf relaxed at camp 1, where they have been waiting for a weather change.
And Olaf? He enjoyed the relative amenities of the base camp and was spoled by Jehangir's cuisine
06.08.01
A cold clear night made good conditions for the descent of Markus and Christian. In the beginning, Markus skied in the less steeper part. Later on, they had to use their climbing-irons again. The dream of descending on ski was over but one can not have all. They summited a 8000-peak, despite bad weather and one cannot complain minor details.
After having a two hours rest at Ralf and Lydia at camp 1, they continued their way on ski and needed only 45 minutes to the base camp. Their military officier Tariq sponsored a bottle of Coke - far away from civilisation a treasure and worth 400. The spent the remaining of the day with reporting their adventures, eating, taking photographs and drinking, drinking, drinking...
07.08.01
Lydia and Ralf started early and reached camp 2 at 9 in the morning. The want to retry to summit the GII in the next two days. Olaf, Christian and Markus think about how to realize the summit of GI within the remaining few days until the 15th. August
Markus Walter, Gasherbrum-Basecamp, 07.08.2001 - 8 p.m.
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