January 22

ALEX TXIKON REACHES C2 ON WINTER AMA DABLAM BEFORE EVEREST ATTEMPT

Posted by adefrutos on January 22, 2020 in alex txikon, himalaya, mountaineering | Leave a comment

The Basque climber Alex Txikon has reached C2 in Ama Dablam, the first stage to his returns to winter Everest.
After attempting K2 in winter this year, Alex Txikon is now preparing to tackle Everest, on what will be his third expedition to the highest mountain on Earth off season. “Third time’s a charm,” Alex said during the expedition press conference in Bilbao. “We will also use the lessons learnt on K2.”

_____________________

WINTER AMA DABLAM BEFORE EVEREST ATTEMPT

There’s good news from both groups comprising Alex Txikon’s Road to Himalayas expedition. Firstly, there’s great news from Amiab’s trekking group. The three disabled your mountaineers and their coaches have made it to the targeted 5,100m at Gorak Shep and, moreover, they’ve climbed up to Kala Pattar, at 5,300m overlooking the Everest-Lhotse-Nuptse group. It’s been a very emotional moment, but mainy the boys are overwhelmed with you, in good health and sky-high spirits, according to Ignacio de Zuloaga, who finally decided to join them on their final stage. “They are so delighted and motivated that they actually wanted to keep going up Pumori,” Ignacio said.

Meanwhile on Ama Dablam, Alex Txikon, Joanatan García, Félix Criado and Cheppal Sherpa finally set off from base Camp yesterday in spite of high winds which, nearly 100km/h as Alex reported, which at times literally pushed them off balance. The climbers also found out, upon arrival in C1, that wind had brew off three tents and some equipment. “It was a tough night,” Txikon reckoned. However, the team intends to spend tonight in C1 as well. Early in the morning today, Alex and Cheppal Sherpa went up loaded with two rolls of rope each and fixed the route to Camp2. According to reports, Joanatan remained in Camp 1 and Félix intended to return to Case Camp today.

While valuable on their own, this expedition is planned as preparation for the final stage: Everest. The approaching trek to its south side, located at the head of the Khumbu valley, is actually very close to Ama Dablam, which will facilitate logistics and let Txikon and the Everest climbing team reach Base Camp swiftly and well acclimatized. Teaming up with Alex on will be, from Spain, Oscar Cardo and Jonatan García and, from Nepal, Chhiji Nurbu Sherpa, Pechhumbe Sherpa and Tenjen Sherpa.

In addition to climbing, the expedition will carry out a number of drone-based topographilac and meteorological studios. Photographer Diego Martinez will document the expeditions and, on the Ama Dablam leg, a team of disabled trekkers will accompany the expedition to Base Camp.

_____________________

_____________________

ALEX TXIKON K2 ATTEMPT 2019: PHOTO GALLERY