Alex Txikon announces Mt K2 traverse plan for next summer
KATHMANDU: Spanish climber Alex Txikon has announced that he would attempt to traverse Mt K2 (8,611 m) in the upcoming summer season.
Before heading to Pakistan for one of the toughest winter ascents in the world’s second highest peak, Txikon told THT in Kathmandu that he wanted to make a traverse of Mt K2 in the summer season aiming to become the first person to achieve the rare feat.
According to Txikon, he will attempt to climb Mt K2 from the Chinese route and descend on the Pakistani side of the mountain that straddles the Sino-Pak border. “Seven Summit Treks will provide necessary logistic including Sherpa support during my upcoming K2 traverse expedition,” the 37-year-old informed.
Saying that he would obtain climbing permits from both countries to make the first ever traverse of Mt K2, the climber claimed that he always wanted to make a difference in the climbing scene. “The world climbers who want to join my team are most welcome,” the Basque alpinist quipped.
Mingma Sherpa, Chairman at Seven Summit Treks, also confirmed that his company would run the expedition for Txikon on Mt K2 in the next summer season. “There will be a strong team of at least 20 Sherpa climbers along with expedition members on the Pakistani side of the mountain,” Sherpa said, adding that the Sherpa team would support Txikon on the summit and help him to descend.
According to Sherpa, Txikon along with five Sherpa climbers has already left for Pakistan to attempt to climb Mt K2 in the winter season. “Till date, no one has climbed Mt K2 in the winter season.” Besides a joint team of international climbers from Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, Txikon-led team would be attempting to make a winter ascent of Mt K2 this season, Sherpa added.
The Spaniard, who has already climbed 11 eight-thousanders including the winter ascent of Nanga Parbat in 2016, had, however, abandoned his attempt to climb Mt Everest without supplemental oxygen from Nepal side due to strong winds in the last winter season.
