05 | CAMP 1
Hello from K2 Camp 1 at about 6,100 meters altitude. After the bad weather has subsided, the expedition team has covered about 1000 meters of almost vertical ascent. As expected, the path was dangerous, as there were repeated rockfalls and one avalanche after the other on the slope of Broad Peak. The steep mountaineering at such an altitude is extremely physically demanding for the participants of the K2 expedition and they also must be careful not to be hit by stones.
Willi: „We were all on our way to Camp 1 today. Me, about 150 meters higher than my mountaineer partner, friend and cameraman Philip. Suddenly Mingma Sherpa, who was standing next to me, shouted something in Nepalese. Probably Attention! A head-sized stone rolled down the glacier with enormous speed. Suddenly, and without warning, the stone reversed direction and was aimed directly at Philip. One impact, deadly! Philip remained calm though, turning his head and scanning the area behind him to see if anyone else was in danger. Turned his head back, focused fully on the stone and took a half step to the side at the last moment - and mastered the situation with confidence!“