Goro 2 Camp to Concordia – 15 km, 8 hours
We woke to a winter wonderland! Overnight, heavy snow had blanketed everything, covering the camp in a white duvet. It was still snowing as we had breakfast, and it looked like another day of battling harsh conditions.
Interestingly, the colder temperature kept us dry, as the snow bounced off our waterproofs. We bundled up in thermals and warm layers, staying toasty despite the extreme cold. This setup worked well for the first couple of hours, but as the snow stopped, the sun came out, and we felt a sudden swing in temperature. It became roasting hot, so we stripped down to T-shirts and shorts—a surreal sight, given that we were surrounded by snow. But the sun soon melted it, turning the landscape into a network of streams.
With the clouds gone, we finally glimpsed the spectacular mountains around us, freshly dusted with snow and stunning in the bright light. We made good progress, keeping up with the porters for the first five hours. However, William had a minor fall, which shook his confidence a bit, and our pace slowed for the last stretch.
The final two hours were tough, but reaching Concordia was worth every step. As we entered camp, the porters gave us a guard of honor, cheering and clapping as we passed. We were told William might have just set a new record as the youngest person to reach Concordia—a remarkable achievement!
Once in camp, we relaxed, refueled with food, and sipped on tea. Concordia is known for its breathtaking view of K2, but the mountain stayed hidden behind clouds. As we ate dinner, the snow returned, driven by strong winds. Fortunately, I had anchored our tents with larger rocks, which proved essential as the wind howled through the night.
Our adventure is pushing us in every way possible, but with each day, we feel stronger and more connected to this incredible landscape.
Family Russell-Smith Travel 