AMERICAN K-2 EXPEDITION LEADER JEFF ALZNER
Heidi aspires to be the 6th woman on K-2 summit
MAY23-2000
ISLAMABAD
— American elite climber Heidi Howkins has a dream and that is to be the
first woman to scale K-2 'Mountaineers Mountain' with the safe ascent and
descent.
Heidi
in her exclusive interview with this correspondent said," Insh-a-Allah
I will be the sixth woman to climb K-2 summit and I am very hopeful."
"The
team is very strong and we will work in teams of four supporting eachother
efforts for the ultimate goal and it is the climb of my life."
Five
women have made the summit of K-2 and out of those
Julie, Lillian (1986 K-2 Tragedy) and Alison (1995 K-2 Tragedy)
died on their descent via Abruzzi Ridge (Pakistan) from the peak.
The
others Wanda and Chantal died high on the mountains in the Nepal.
She
has been on four 8000ers and Karakorum in Pakistan has been her favourite
place.
She
started her quest for the high peaks from Gasherbrum II summit in 1996 and
then went to climb Kanchenjunga in Nepal managing 8000 meters also
surviving a scare on the peak. In 1998 she led a team of two members on
K-2 and managed the 'Shoulder' at 7800 metres before turning back.
Everest
she attempted in 1999 but couldn't get to the top, she however managed
8000 metres.
Mother
of a seven year old Devin, Heidi follows the code of ethics which is
treating the mountain with respect and not taking the peak to ones own
level. She has all the climbs with out supplementary oxygen.
"I
am an athlete not an astronaut," said Heidi when asked about the
oxygen less climb adding," The statistics on the North side are not
that horrifying and it will not have the usual rush which is associated
with these peaks."
"The
expedition is taking 10 Balti porters," she said adding," K-2
from North (China side) is very remote and we have 5000 kilos of
equipment."
Answering
a query she said," The camel dump is at 3800 metres and the K-2 Base
Camp is at 4900 metres and it is ascent of 1100 metres and it is hard
work."
Heidi
also pointed out a lot depends on the cook who plays an important role in
the expedition success, we are having Sher Afzal who was a big help in
sorting out the supplies for the expedition.
She
is also involved in the SupPorters Project and that includes equipment for
120 porters to be brought in at a later stage.
She
thanked Pakistan International Airlines which is also one of the sponsors
of the expedition.
"The
Balti porters with us will use some of the equipment which is custom
designed for them and we will see how it works," said Heidi.
The
support group with the 12 climbers include two member camera team Greg
Ritchi and Jeff Rhoads. Jeff came from Everest on Tuesday and has the
distinction of getting to the Everest summit twice (with oxygen) in seven
days filming the climbers.
Other
members include Jennifer Jordan (BBC Radio), John Heilprin (Associated
Press), Terry Richard (Oregonian).
Terry
has been with the first American K-2 expedition in 1978.
Ginger
Russell is the Base Camp Manager.
The
expedition leaves on Wednesday (today).
CAPTION:
Heidi Howkins