SPANISH GASHERBRUM II EXPEDITION LEADER LUIS URKIA

Spanish climbers return after failing on  GII 

JULY27-2000

 By Our Sports Reporter (Asem)

 ISLAMABAD — Seven member Spanish expedition came from Skardu on Thursday after failing on Gasherbrum II, 8035 metres from the Normal Route.

Forty year old Luis Urkia led the expedition which managed to reach 6900 metres where Camp 2 was pitched.

"It was bad weather added with deep and soft snow which stopped us for going any further," said Luis Urkia adding," We were also low on time."

The Spanish team was part of the big out fit compiled together by Juan Lazkano who still has two more expedition on the peak.

One of the member of the Gasherbrum II expedition Sergio Mingote (29) who is representative of the Spanish Workers Union also took the union flag to the mountain but was unable to scale it

He has hoisted the flag on two of the 8000ers Cho Oyu and Shishapangma which reads 'Yes to 35 hours and No to 40 hours work in a week'.

He is called Mr 35 hours in Spain as there is big movement in Europe for cutting down the working hours from 40 to 35 in a week besides raise in the wages and Sergio is the representative and sponsored by the workers union of Spain for hoisting the flag on Gasherbrum II summit.

The climbers were all visiting Pakistan for the first time and other members of the expedition are: Diego Lopez (27), Eneko Guenetxea (24), Jesus Arregi (34), Jose Taranilla (42) and Javier Sanchez (37).

ENDS