“Today, two Pakistan Army choppers have made a searching flight around GI, reaching up to 7000 m. in order to search over the plateau between 7000m and 7400 m, which was climbed by Gerfried’s team on the 8th of March,” Artur Hajzer, leader of the Polish expedition, has just reported over email.
“The missing climbers might have got trapped on that plateau, since the choppers have searched as well all over the normal route up to 6400 m. and, as far as we know, found no traces or tracks. We are reporting as we have seen the choppers operating from BC. We know that in the chopper was Hassan Sadpara. The weather today was 100% clear.”
“We have agreed with Gerfried’s brother – Wolfgang Goeschl – to call the searching operation off. After a small ceremony in memorial of Gerfried Goeschl, Cedric Hahlen, and Nissar (Hussain) Sadpara, we – Artur Hajzer, Agnieszka Bielecka, frostbitten Alex Txicon and Darek Zaluski – have all started the packing-up to leave BC. Adam Bielecki, Janusz Golab and Tamara Stys have already left.”
“The normal route was searched along by a two-man team between March 12th and 14th. The new route opened by Gerfried’s team, up to 6,800m, was searched from BC by binoculars everyday.”
“It is difficult to accept that such great friends and climbers have passed… We share our pain with all friends and send our condolences to the families.”
Artur Hajzer.
KarakorumClimbers news team note: Our hearts go to Gerfried, Nisar and Cedric’s families and friends. We shall miss them.
source:Explorersweb.com
It’s always sad to hear when people die doing what they love. I have heard the news via Alex Xticon interviews in Spain radio.
I’ve always wondering if it’s hard to carry a gos device that will help find climbers in case of an accident like this one.
Alex and company seemed to take the right decision in turning back. Let their souls rest in peace in those mountains.
With the encouraging news of the abducted Swiss couple recovered this morning I was feeling we may have the next good news, that of the climbers being safe some where high up. I was in contact with the pilots and remained fingers crossed. The bad news came around 1530. It was difficult to break it to my friends at Switzerland……. Well, life is like that. I pray God bless the departed souls and bestow strength on the bereaved families to endure the irreparable loss.
Very sad to hear this shocking news,,our deeep condolence to families of Mr Nisar and his team Gerfried Goeschl, Cedric Hahlen,. this news is still disturbing for us.
Salute to Mr. Nisar Hussain one of world famous climber hailing from Sadapara (a small village approx 10 km from skardu town ) Gilgit-Baltistan, he was one of the youngest Pakistani who scaled up all five highest peaks in Pakistan (8000m above) including K2. he put his life in danger and faced the worst for the greater cause, a young motivated climber fully dedicated to his profession.
I would request our Govt. to honor him with the national AWARD
Dear Mountaineers
We feel that there is an incredible survival-story-in-the-making here. At least that is what we would like to believe at the moment. However, the mountain and its’ majesty will have the final say. We also feel that the search attempt should have been persevered with for at least another few days. Commiserations for the families and fellow mountaineers.
LUMS Adventure Society