Posted: Jul 28, 2009 12:45 pm EDT
(K2Climb.net) Climb Everest and become a climber to the world; climb K2 and become a climber to climbers: One by one, aspirants are turned back on K2; the peak proving once again why it is dubbed the "Mountaineers' Mountain."

Max, Vaso and Serguey were latest to come down today, Gerfried & friends are holding, Fabrizio, Gerlinde and David Göttler are recovering. None are ready to give up just yet.

Kazakhs back, Austrians hoping for yet another shot

“The weather has turned for the worse – K2’s upper slopes are wrapped in clouds and the wind is picking up,” Maxut Zhumayev messaged earlier today. “We’ve decided not to risk it – and retreat back down from C3.”

“The expedition members have decided to stay a few more days, hoping to attempt the summit again by the end of the week,” Louis Rousseau’s home team reported. “They are right now resting in BC and waiting for fresh weather forecasts. Louis is well and he is determined to try one last time.”

No action expected in the next few days

Meanwhile Cesen climbers Fabrizio Zangrilli, Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner and David Göttler are also recovering in BC. “Fabrizio made an excellent go up to the shoulder at 7900m with David and Gerlinde on their summit bid,” FTA’s Chris recalled from BC. “The 3 of them put in an amazing amount of work and endured a lot of suffering in high winds, not to mention the fact that there were no fixed ropes in place. Very serious stuff in a very serious place!”

Field Touring team members are uncertain about a new summit bid in upcoming days. “I think that the next few days will be well earned R&R, whilst we wait for a couple of days of bad weather further up the mountain to pass,” Jake Meyer reported. “After that - who knows...”

Links to K2 teams 2009

Fredrik Ericsson
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner
Maxut Zhumayev
Fabrizio Zangrilli
Jake Meyer
Santiago Quintero
Sean Wisedale
Martin Ramos
Christian Stangl
Field Touring Alpine
Gerfried Göschl
Louis Rousseau

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