Simone Moro Broad Peak summit push tomorrow

They're almost there. Simone Moro, currently attempting the first winter ascent of Broad Peak, has just reached Camp 3 and tomorrow, weather permitting, he will go for his summit push.

The Italian climber, accompanied by his two Pakistani friends Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali, managed to establish Camp 3 today at circa 7000 - 7200m. The ascent proved harder than forecast but despite the strong winds the trio managed to reach their gear stash at 6800m and establish Camp 3 a few hundred meters higher still.

The three are now resting and recuperating for tomorrow morning's summit push. This is scheduled for circa 6.00 am, somewhat later than usual as at 4.00 am it is simply far too cold to get moving.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is relatively good with a stable 12-hour period and winds in the region of 30-40 km/h. But according to the expedition's Austrian meteorologist, there has never been a winter as bad as this one.

Good luck to the trio which, over the last two months, has demonstrated out-of-the -ordinary perseverance.