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- Jul 15, 2022
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K2 and the most spectacular mountains in the world
Back to the future- Mountain Madness returns to Pakistan. Some MM Scott Fisher history and what adventures lie ahead as our trekking team is on its way to K2 basecamp.
1995 — the Mountain Madness camp was abuzz from Scott Fischer’s energy. The Broad Peak team looked comfortable with their surroundings in Pakistan’s Karakoram, which included numerous 8,000-meter peaks and K2, the second highest peak in the world. It was, as noted by author Johanna Garton in the book Edge of the Map, a story that chronicles the life of Christine Boskoff, an auspicious day in the annals of Mountain Madness history. Camped next door to the MM team was Christine Boskoff, who would become the second owner of the company. With her husband Keith, they took in the scene of the neighbors.
“Though they’d heard of his accomplishments, the Boskoffs felt secure in their own. They busied themselves preparing gear for the ascent of Broad Peak while absorbing the fact that they’d finally made it to the foot of an 8,000meter peak. During a day of rest, Scott invited Chris and Keith over to his camp nearby.
‘You’re pretty new at this, I hear?’ he asked the couple as they pulled up camp chairs. ‘Compared to you? Big time,’ said Keith, with a laugh. His broad smile put Scott at ease. Both men were from the East Coast, animated as they spoke.
‘I can tell you, the big peaks — there’s nothing like it,’ Scott said. ‘I did Everest last year and am hoping to go back again next year.’
‘You think you’ll stick with it?’ Chris asked as she reached for the mug of coffee Scott offered her.” Excerpted from Edge of the Map
Chris and Scott continued the conversation, it going in so many different directions as often happens when patiently waiting in base camp doing the often tedious work of acclimatization and resting. Scott, noting Christine’s relative inexperience on 8,000ers, inquired in his friendly, mild mannered way, “You’ve not done any of the big peaks, but you’re a decent athlete and you feel okay up here at fifteen thousand feet?” As author Garton imagines, the conversation probably went something like this, beginning with a shrug form Chris followed by, “Truth be told,” she said, “I suck at sea level. But, I’ve got the right genes. I feel good, the altitude doesn’t bother me, and I’m fast.” Scott, grinning, enthusiastically replies, “You’ve got this. Stick with us for the climb and then let’s talk about ways I can get you involved in Mountain Madness. I think I’d be decent at running a business if there weren’t other things I’d rather be doing.”
And so it went, history made. Christine went on to take over the company after Scott perished on Everest and later, went back to Pakistan to make an attempt on K2’s Magic Line alpine-style with climbing legend and partner Charlie Fowler.
Now, some twenty seven years after Christine ad Scott first met, the Karakoram stands as tall and mighty as ever. Yesterday, after some time in the Shangri La-like town of Skardu and a rugged jeep ride to the village of Askole, the K2 basecamp trekkers set foot on the massive Baltoro Glacier and the start of almost two weeks of trekking, including glacier travel on the Gondogoro Pass and descending into he beautiful Hushe Valley.
MM Everest Basecamp trek guide Mara Larson sent along some updates: In legendary Skardu where the reputation of this place as a small shangri-la has been no exaggeration so far. While Amin and I have been busy with ministry meetings and trip logistics, the team headed out for some ‘passive acclimatization’ with an adventure up to the high altitude at the desert plateau of Desai. The timing was impeccable with thousands of flowers in bloom up at nearly 13,000 foot.
A nice chance to acclimate to higher and higher elevations all accompanied by an energetic playlist of local hits blasting from the local Balti jeep driver. Pretty well suited to the raucous terrain of the road up and out of Skardu threading up sandy desert cliffs. Back in town late afternoon there was no chance to let jetlag set in since the local Skardu polo team had their final match against the leading rival team of the province. Joining in the crowds of fanatical fans may end up being a highlight of the trip. Complete with Elise and Harry making their local television debut with on m‑field interviews at half time. Truly couldn’t make this day up!
We rounded it out with a relaxed rooftop dinner in the city and again relatively early to bed before our final day in civilization tomorrow. What’s next? Tomorrow sees us dusting off the hiking boots and heading up to the 16th century fort towering above the valley. We’ll get out first official trekking day in exploring the heights above the village that were once occupied by Buddhist temples, then Mughal forts and now trails to organic village farms dotting the Indus River.
Communications will be minimal, but stay tuned for a dispatch now and then.