There was some uncertainty about the whereabouts of Argentinian climber Ignacio “Nacho” Lucero, who was descending from Broad Peak when night fell on the mountain yesterday. Lucero launched a risky summit push despite buried ropes and high avalanche risk at 7,500m. All the other climbers had retreated and, eventually, Lucero also turned around.
Today, Akhbar Syed released a video of Lucero returning to Base Camp, seemingly in good health. Lucero was the last person on the mountain.
On K2, Garrett Madison has confirmed that all climbers are back down. “Our Sherpas will do a final trip to Camp 2 [today] to retrieve some gear and then we’re done,” he said. The Gasherbrums are also deserted.
Madison Mountaineering’s climbers on top of K2. Photo: Madison Mountaineering
The climbing season on Pakistan’s 8000ers has come to an end, but not the reporting. There are climbers with stories to tell, some questions that still require answers, claims to be investigated, and lessons to learn. There will be time for reflection, about what has changed, and where high-altitude climbing in the Karakorum is heading.
About the Author
Angela Benavides
Senior journalist, published author and communication consultant. Specialized on high-altitude mountaineering, with an interest for everything around the mountains: from economics to geopolitics. After five years exploring distant professional ranges, I returned to ExWeb BC in 2018. Feeling right at home since then!
Excellent news that he’s safely back – thanks for the updates. I know I wasn’t the only person who was worried for Lucero!
This may a good time to bring up something that psychologists call Circling the Drain. A person having suicidal thoughts may sometimes do things that might or might not kill them, because they are not sure if they want to live or not, and are just testing the waters. Like a floating piece of debris in your bathtub, circling around and around before going down the drain. Be aware of this because these people need your help, not encouragement to be cheered on their way down the drain. I’m glad Lucero isn’t one of them. But he should still consider… Read more »
So now people that climb alone without being dragged, carried, and catered to are considered suicidal? Not too long ago they were called alpinists.
Thanks God
Hi Angela Benavides, thank you for all your informative and gripping reporting! I kindly suggest to do an interview with Jerry Gore, Rick Allen’s friend and climbing partner for 25 years, about Rick (if he is willing to share some stories). https://www.facebook.com/jerry.gore.31
Thanks Angela Benavides for keeping us up to date…so very much appreciated.
Regarding Gasherbrums, Is Sirbaz attempting GI?
What a journey it has been for them which I have been fallowing. Beautiful pictures too. Very sad about the two men that did not make it. My condolences to there families.❤❤ And thank you for your fantastic info.