Fredrik already made ski-descents from Shisha Pangma (central summit), Dhaulagiri (from 8 000 to 4 700 meters) and G2 (8 035 m) in Pakistan. K2 is next. Image courtesy of Fredrik Ericsson (click to enlarge).
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Extreme skier Fredrik Ericsson for K2 in sky-descent trilogy
Posted: Mar 19, 2009 11:29 am EDT
(MountEverest.net/K2Climb.net) This summer, Swedish extreme skier Fredrik Ericsson will embark on his dream of becoming the first person to ski the world’s three highest mountains: Mount Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga.
The toughest challenge of the three could prove his expedition to the world’s second highest mountain, K2, which begins in June 2009.
Fredrik Ericsson is one of the world’s leading high altitude skiers with ski descents on some of the highest mountains on earth, including Peak Somoni, Shisha Pangma, Gasherbrum 2, Laila Peak and Dhaulagiri.
“I have already skied on three of the 14 8000-meter peaks. During these adventures I gained critical experience that will apply towards my goal of skiing the absolute highest.," says Fredrik.
"The project spans two years and I will try to ski the three highest mountains in the world: K2 (8612m) this summer, Kangchenjunga (8586m) in autumn 2009, and Mount Everest (8850m) in the autumn of 2010.”
Laila Peak for starters
Fredrik, this time with Italian companion Michele Fait, plan to climb and ski K2 this summer. So far no one has made a complete ski descent from the summit.
“This means that we can become the first in the world to ski the mountain,” says Fredrik. Acclimatization will include an attempt for the first complete ski descent of Laila Peak (6069m). The final K2 attempt will kick-off mid-July.
K2: ski descent highlight of difficult climb
“We will not use supplemental oxygen and will carry all the same equipment as the other climbers. In addition, we’ll also be carrying all of our ski equipment and wearing ski touring boots which are not nearly as warm, comfortable or functional as climbing boots. This makes the climb much more difficult for us than for other climbers,” says Fredrik.
Fredrik and Michele plan to climb the SSE ridge. When fully acclimatized, the two skiers will need four days to get from BC to the summit. The final day will commence the summit push at midnight, followed by a 12 hour climb to the top, and then the ski descent itself - expected to take five hours - all the way to base camp, along a vertical drop of almost 3600 meters and steep sections of up to 50 degrees inclination.
5 turns on K2 = 1000 vertical meters in the Alps
"To ski at 8000 meters is extraordinarily difficult and in the beginning we have to stop to rest after only a few turns,"says Fredrik. "After four to five turns I’m as exhausted as after skiing 1000 vertical meters in the Alps."
The project to be the first in the world to ski the three highest mountains is a step towards Fredrik’s ultimate goal to ski all 14 of the world’s 8000-meter peaks.
To follow the expedition, log onto Fredrik’s website in the links section below the image where regular updates will be posted.
Fredrik already made ski-descents from Shisha Pangma (central summit), Dhaulagiri (from 8 000 to 4 700 meters) and G2 (8 035 m) in Pakistan. Last fall he and Norwegian Jörgen Aamot aimed for the first Swedish/Norwegian ascent and the first ever ski descent of Kangchenjunga. The attempt was aborted due to severe conditions, with the two skiing the steep and avalanche-prone slopes from 7,000 to 5,500 meters.
The attempt was part of the project spanning three years where Fredrik would try to ski the three highest mountains in the world. Planned for summer 2009; K2 (8612m) is next. Kang will be attempted again this fall while Mount Everest is saved for last - in fall 2010.
Fredrik Ericsson grew up in Umea, a small town in northern Sweden, but has since 2000 spent most of his time in Chamonix in the French Alps. As a professional skier he spends the winter traveling to ski resorts in the Alps and exotic mountain ranges around the world. When Fredrik’s not skiing he enjoys climbing in the Mont Blanc range.
Short summary of Fredrik’s previous ski descents:
2003 - Peak Somoni (7 495 m), Tajikistan.
2004 - Central summit of Shisha Pangma (8 012 m), Tibet.
2005 - Gasherbrum 2 (8 035 m), Pakistan.
2005 - Laila Peak (6 069 m), Pakistan, skied from 5 940 m.
2007 - Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Nepal, skied from 8 000 to 4 700 m.
2008 - Kangchenjunga, Nepal (8586 m). Skied from 7,000 to 5,500 m.
Fredrik’s sponsors: Dynastar, Osprey, Tierra, Hestra, Adidas Eyewear and Grivel.
Supporters: Tissot, Exped, Giro, Scarpa, Primus, Ortovox, Therm-Ic, Jämtport.
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