'Karakorum 2000', Italian expedition to Gasherbrum II

'Karakorum 2000', Italian expedition to attempt unclimbed North Face of Gasherbrum II

Mnet

May 2000

On the 7th of June an Italian expedition will head to the Chinese Karakorum to attempt the unclimbed North Face of Gasherbrum II (8035m), the thirteenth highest mountain in the world.

Neither porters nor supplementary oxygen will be used by the strong expedition, which is composed of members of the Club Alpino Italiano including Nives Meroi, Fabio Agostinis, Romano Benet and Paolo De Martin.

Nives Meroi reached the summit of Nanga Parbat (8125m), in 1998. Together with Romano Benet she climbed Shisha Pangma (8013m), and Cho Oyu (8153m) in spring 1999, with just 10 days separating one ascent from the other.

The expedition also hopes to carry out some important reconnaissance of this relatively unknown area. Both Kurt Diemberger and Paolo De Martin are enthusiastic explorers and they also hope to track down a rare species of mule, of which there are known to be only 500 left.

This self-proclaimed "amateur" expedition is, by virtue of its choice of mountain, style of ascent and exploratory nature, one of the most interesting 8000m expeditions this season.

The goal:
Gasherbrum II's North Face.
photo Kurt Diemberger

Information
"KARAKORUM 2000" - Expedition Leader:
Fabio Agostinis
Tel. +39 (0428) 2368
E-Mail: karakorum2000@infinito.it , agostinisfabio@infinito.it

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The group's achievements :

Peruvian Andes (1980's):
Nevado Pisco (6000m)
Nevado Sarapo (6143 m)
Nevado Chopiqualchi (6430 m)

Russian Pamirs:
Pik Comunism (7495m)
Pik Korzenewkaya (7105 m)

Tibet:
Cho Oyu (8201m)

K2 (8611m):
two failed attempts via a new route: ’91 stopped at 8200m ’94 at 8450m

'95 Indian Himalaya:
New route and two ascents of Baghhirathi (6540m)

’96 Everest (8848m): turned back at 8600m due to terrible conditions

’98 Pakistani Himalaya:
Nanga Parbat
(8125 m)