July 22nd News from basecamp

[Romke]

Since it was Harry's birthday yesterday, I thougt I could just as well give him a call. I'm not that experienced with calling to satellite phones and since my SMS's hadn't come through for a while I didn't expect that much from it. But then I heard a familiar voice say 'hallo?' The connection is slightly delayed, but crisp clear!

They arrived in basecamp on Sunday according to schedule. The weather has been changing rapidly from snowstorms in the morning to 30+ temperatures in the afternoon. Their plan was to leave basecamp already on tuesday, but they couldn't make out how to continue. Two days behind schedule isn't a problem though, and it enabled Harry to celebrate his birthday in the comforts of basecamp, his highest BD so far! He happily told me that he received many presents and even an improvised cake with 34 candles (hopefully he didn't get a traditional dutch brick like we gave him some years ago on a trip in the Alps).

The past days in basecamp have been relatively comfortable. The group is complete and in relative good health. Most climbers have had either a cold or some minor stomach problems, but they all feel fit to climb. Most porters have returned home now, only two are left that may join them for a few more days. The cook and his help have done a wonderful job so far, but they will not go beyond basecamp. Soon the real mountain life will begin! Harry told me that he can feel people getting slightly nervous now, partly because most feel very at home in rock, but do not have a lot of alpine experience.

The route to camps ABC includes a stretch of rock climbing starting at 5500 m. The route to the wall was not at all clear, but the past two days they managed to find a way. Weather supposedly clears on Thursday, so then they will leave basecamp, if all goes well to return after five days.

[Romke]

Jenny sent me a map of the Concordia glacier and surrounding mountains. Also Broadpeak and Gasherbrum are visible, where dutch expeditions of Katja Staartjes and Frits Vrijlandt are climbing respectively.

http://jnkr.nl/chogolisa/chogolisa_map.jpg

I would like to paint the GPS locations on the map but I need two references. Does anyone have coordinates for two peaks on this map?

[Romke]

Ok, I found some coordinates on the map:

K2: 35.88°N 76.51°E
Hushe:     35.467  76.367  3798 m

let's plot their positions so far!

[Romke]

those coordinates for Hushe probably aren't right. I corrected them according to the km scale on the map, more probable coordinates are:

Hushe 35.467 N 76.242 E

[Jenny Paterson]

 :)Hey Romke that looks great!    well done. . . .  It looks though if BC is on the West Gasherbrum glacier and not Vigne, or am I reading the map upside down?   Ciao.