Xtreme Peaks: 2008 Winter Himalayan/Karakorum Expedition List

The fall climbing season in the Himalayas and Pakistan has just about ended.  Teams are now going through their gear, packing it up, and moving on.  After a couple of nice summits during the fall climbing season, the attention now falls on winter.  Xtreme Adventurer.com posted an article a week or so back that took a look at the meaning of climbing in winter.  It is the most dangerous and grueling time of the year to attempt some of the world’s tallest peaks.  There are actually a few of these peaks that have never been summited in winter.  Last year, not a single team was able to top out on the higher elevated peaks in winter.  These include the Karakorum range (Pakistan.  Home of K2) and the Himalayas.

So what do we have to look forward to this year?

How about a summit attempt on Makalu?  Simone Moro and Denis Urubko are planning on an expedition to the only 8,000 meter peak in the Himalayas that remains unclimbed in winter.  Moro and Urubko continue to be two of the top climbers in the world.  Both have experience, separate and as a team, in attaining new routes, first ascents, and some of the toughest Himalayan climbing over the past few years.  This should be an exciting expedition.  Let’s wish them well on Makalu!

Broad Peak and Nanga Parbat will both see some action in the Karakorum’s this winter.  The team of Artur Hajzer, Robert Szymczak, and Don Bowie will be looking to capture the summit on Broad Peak, while a team of Polish climbers will be looking for the same results on Nanga Parbat.  Broad Peak could become the first 8,000 meter peak in the Karakorum to be summited.  As in years past, though, the Karakorum has turned back many people  due to terrible weather conditions.  High winds, snow, and the extreme cold don’t play nicely when it comes to winter climbing.  That seems to be one of the draws to these expeditions.  These guys are looking for an experience that they will never forget.    Let’s just hope that his ends up on the good side of things!  It will be very interesting to see how this season will pan out.

To read more on the upcoming winter climbing season in Himalayan and Karakorum ranges, be sure to check in at The Adventure Blog and Explorers Web.  Both of these sites, along with The Adventurist and Xtreme Adventurer, should be offering up some updates as the days tick forward.  Stop by and check back in often.

Photo:  Simone Moro.  Courtesy of Explorers Web.