Day 18 – Overcoming Challenges on the Way to Gasherbrum 1 and Gasherbrum 2 Base Camp. A family adventure.

Concordia to Camp Near G1/G2 Base – 22 km, 9 hours

Today was all about pushing through as we’re feeling around 90% thanks to the antibiotics, but it was definitely the toughest day so far.

1. We’re still recovering, and while the boys feel fine, we’re a bit drained.
2. The 22 km trek was long and mostly uphill.
3. The weather took a turn midway, bringing snow, sleet, and biting wind.
4. Hunger didn’t help—our guide decided to skip lunch. We had noodle soup and crackers at 11 a.m., but by 5 p.m., we were all tired and starving.
   The trail was an endless, rugged moraine with no real path. By hour five, we all started to question this plan as the weather closed in. We were cold, weary, and hungry, and still had hours to go.
   
   

For the first time, the boys showed signs of struggle. William especially had a hard time and asked several times how much longer we had left. He kept pushing forward, though, and finally broke down just ten minutes from camp. After such a long day, he was exhausted, cold, and hungry. We got him warm and fed as soon as we reached camp.

In another challenging choice, our guide opted to leave behind the mess tent, so we all huddled in the small kitchen tent to eat and warm up. The camp was around two hours shy of our target, G1/G2 Base Camp, nestled in a stunning yet daunting spot surrounded by steep peaks and glaciers.

All night, we could hear avalanches rumbling down the mountainsides like thunder. Even though we knew we were safe, each crash left us wondering, “What if?” The power of the mountains was humbling, and we turned in early, trying to rest while keeping thoughts as positive as possible.