09:25 am CDT May 03, 2006
(K2Climb.net) Saltoro Summits has submitted a new update of the official list of teams who have applied for climbing permits on Pakistan's peaks this summer.
Gasherbrums: Hurry up to find a place in BC
Among them are further teams for Gasherbrums. At the rate applications are coming in, the twin 8000ers just might reach a record number of visitors this year. The latest additions for GII are a seven-member Austrian Globetrek team led by Christian Babl, and a 12-member American team led by Michael Alan Farris.
The Korean Donga University is also launching an expedition on GI, with Seok Ho Lee leading an 11-member team.
Finally, Yugoslavian Milivoj Erdeljan is leading another four fellow climbers for a double-header, hoping to summit both Gasherbrums.
New teams for Broad and Nanga
Teams for Broad Peak also abound. A large Spanish team (12 members) led by Llatzer Mendez, and the Russian Chernogolovka Broad Peak Expedition led by Leonid Butov (5 members) will be heading for the peak this season.
Less crowded, but not forgotten, is Nanga Parbat. A new team has just signed up to attempt its summit: A Bulgarian, seven man-strong group led by Nikolay Mihaylov Petkov.
Pakistan 7000ers: A new climbing world
As attractive as the 8000ers may be, some other teams have chosen lesser, scarcely visited peaks as their goal. A Polish, 5-member team led by Piotr Pawlus will attempt Istor O Nal (7403m), while Benjamin Peter will lead another six British climbers on Noshaq Peak (7492m.).
The list also shows some teams which had previously announced their upcoming goals, now officially asking for a climbing permit.
Such is the case of the Benegas brothers, giving a third try to Latok I. Also on the list is the local Shams K-2 Expedition: Qudrat Ali, in collaboration with the Alpine Club of Pakistan is leading a team on K2 which includes some of the best Pakistani climbers and guides.
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