BRITISH BROAD PEAK EXPEDITION LEADER DAVID HAMILTON
Multinational team returns unsuccessful from Broad Peak
JULY23-2000
By
Asem Mustafa Awan
ISLAMABAD
— Elite British mountaineer David Hamilton returned from Broad Peak
after exercising good judgment to turn back from 7700 metres on Broad Peak
8047 metres.
The
multinational out fit with climbers representing England, Scotland and
America attempted the peak from Normal Route in Semi Alpine Style but bad
weather and deep snow thwarted their summit bid at 7700 metres.
"We
were nine climbers going for the summit on July 8 starting early during
the night," said David.
"Out
of nine three of the climbers were from Pakistan, three from Sweden. one
for Spain and my self and my team member."
"It was bad weather and deep snow and at 9:00 am at 7700 metres we thought it was dangerous to continue any further," said David adding," The Japanese expedition made a Camp 4 at 7500 metres a few days earlier and when we descended to Base Camp it was reported that avalanche on higher slopes on July 9 buried the camp 4."
"It
was timely judgment."
Forty
one year old Garry Arce from America and David along with Spanish elite
climber Carlos Soria Fontan on his record fourth attempt returned from
7700 metres.
Visiting
Pakistan regularly for 14 years and with three successful expeditions
David said," The weather this year was very good in June specially
the last two weeks but we were acclimatizing during that time and we could
not go for the summit."
"So
far the apart from the Koreans who made the summit on K-2 in June none of
the expedition have met with any luck and majority of them are packing
up."
An
expert para glider and mountain guide David Hamilton has been a regular
visitor to Pakistan for 14 years. He attempted Mount Everest
in 1998 reaching 8700 metres.
He
has summits of Gasherbrum I and II (8068 meters and 8035 metres),
Chogolisa and Trichmir besides an unsuccessful attempt on Masherbrum.
The
expedition made Base Camp at 5000 metres, Camp 1 at 5800 metres, Camp 2 at
6400 metres, Camp 3 at 7000 metres. Semi Alpine Style. Unsuccessful bid
July 8 7700 metres.