K2 Base Camp via Broad Peak Back to Concordia – 12 km, 5 hours
Today started with an early breakfast that felt like a real treat: cheese omelettes, French toast, and even bacon! The boys and Martina were thrilled, but poor John couldn’t enjoy it as he was still feeling under the weather.
On the way back down, Martina and John made a stop at the climbers’ memorial—a somber place marking those who have lost their lives in these mountains, especially on K2. The memorial is deeply affecting, a silent tribute with plaques listing names of the fallen and remains brought down from the glaciers. Among the markers, we saw worn boots still containing the feet of hikers and a makeshift tomb sheltering a partially visible skeleton. It was a stark, humbling reminder of the dangers of these peaks and a moment we won’t soon forget.
The descent was easier than the climb up, following the “glacial highway” and negotiating the ice ridge near the end. But by now, Martina was starting to feel unwell too, joining John in dealing with frequent, unwelcome trips to the “toilet”—a setup of a small tent and rocks that’s barely adequate for such frequent visits. Safe to say, the rest day tomorrow is more than welcome!
Family Russell-Smith Travel 