SPANISH NANGA PARBAT EXPEDITION LEADER RUBEN ARAMENDIA
Spanish team leaves for Nanga Parbat
JULY3-2000
By
Asem Mustafa Awan
ISLAMABAD
— Seven member Spanish expedition will leave for Nanga Parbat, 8125
metres on Tuesday (today).
The
team is attempting the Nanga Parbat from Diamir Face Kinschoffer Route in
Semi Alpine Style.
Thirty-two
year old Ruben Aramendia is leading the expedition which is carrying 500
metres of ropes to be fixed in difficult portions of the climb.
Ruben
came to Pakistan in 1999 with two other climbers and made a new route on
Changui Tower near Amin Brakk in Nagma Valley. It was the second ascent in
the world besides first Spanish ascent.
Forty
year old Alberto Porsada on his third visit to Pakistan said," The
team is very motivated and we will try to make the summit bid in late July
or early August weather and snow conditions permitting."
Alberto
is probably the only climber in the world who came from the Shoulder of
K-2 at 7900 metres on hang glider in 1987 from the South Face.
Alberto
a hang gliding expert has been active in the sport for the last 14 years
and has made hang gliding descents from the summits of Mont Blanc and
Aguile Mide in France.
"I
will also look in to the possibility of making a descent via hang glider
depending on snow and wind conditions," said Alberto.
Alberto
has summits of Shivling and Bhagiriti in India besides an unsuccessful bid
on Everest in 1997 followed by another unsuccessful attempt on K-2 from
the Abruzzi Ridge in 1999.
Thirty-four
year Xabier Rozas is the only climber in the lot who has an 8000er summit
in the Pakistan and that is Broad Peak, other four climbers are climbing
for the first time in Pakistan.
Other
member of the expedition are Fernendo Ramos (32), Angel Zabalza (32),
Angel Martinez Rituerto (32) and Josean Hernandez (31).
The
team will make Base Camp at 4200 metres, Camp 1 at 5000 metres, Camp 2 at
6200 metres, Camp 3 at 6800 metres.
CAPTION:
Ruben Aramendia