Alexander Odintsov already travelled to Pakistan last summer to check a possible new route on Masherbrum. Image of Odintsov in 2004 at Jannu's Base Camp, courtesy of Russian Climb (Click on picture to enlarge).
Further expeditions will be crowding the Gasherbrums and Broad Peak’s Base Camps this season. Among them are two new teams attempting the GI-GII double-header. Image of G1's C1 courtesy of Andalucia Karakorum 2005 expedition (click to enlarge).
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Karakorum 2006 teams update: Wielicki and Odintsov are back
Posted: Apr 13, 2006 11:19 am EDT
(K2Climb.net) Some familiar names are popping up on the ever growing list of climbers heading for Pakistan’s peaks this summer - and it looks like it's going to be an exciting season. The latest to sign up have been Polish living legend Krzysztof Wielicki, and Russian Alexander Odintsov, leader of the Russian Big Wall Routes project.
The two leaders
Wielicki is leading a team of 25 members (!) on Gasherbrum II, although there is no confirmation yet whether the huge expedition will follow the normal route or not.
As for Odintsow, the Russian Colonel seems ready to amaze the international climbing community once more. After winning the Piolet d’Or two years ago for the bold ascent on the North face of Jannu (also awarded by ExplorersWeb among the Best of that year), the powerful Russian team will try to leave their signature on Masherbrum, by opening a new route.
In addition, further expeditions will be crowding the Gasherbrums and Broad Peak’s Base Camps this year. There are three new teams attempting the GI-GII double-header: A French team led by Jean Noel Urban, a Russian expedition led by Alexander Pyatnitsin, and a Dutch team lead by Frits Vrijlandt.
Trevor R. Hunt is leading the Canadian Canuck GI expedition, focusing only on Hidden Peak.
Joining the Karakorum jam
On Broad Peak, the latest to join up have been the ‘Argentina Glacier’ expedition led by Gabriel Marcos and a Slovakian team led by Peter Sperka.
There is an additional American expedition, probably part of the large K2-Broad Peak expedition launched by Alan Arnette and Field Touring Alpine, which will be led by Jeff Justman, guide for FTA.
The updated list of expeditions visiting Pakistan was provided to ExplorersWeb by Saltoro Summits.
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