For the 70th anniversary of the historic Italian ascent of K2 in 1954, a special expedition has set off this July 2024, organized by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI): an all-female Italian-Pakistani team that will attempt the climb. Massimiliano Ossini and Gian Luca Gasca will accompany the expedition to base camp, documenting this important project for Rai News.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024, base camp: Massimiliano Ossini and Gian Luca Gasca begin the descent (after more than 100 km traveled and more than 6,000 meters of altitude). They spent a week with the mountaineers of the Italian-Pakistani women’s expedition, who will continue the ascent to the summit despite difficult weather conditions.
A project of collaboration between different nations, which also tells us about the values of the Pakistani people, just as Massimiliano Ossini points out in a live broadcast, “Wonderful people, who know what it means to collaborate and never leave you alone, who place a very high value on hospitality.” A mutual exchange that has enriched both nations.
A mission of great value from several points of view: scientific, of unity, of collaboration, remembering the 1954 mission and the first mountaineers who were protagonists of this great adventure.
Gian Luca Gasca and Massimiliano Ossini answered some questions we sent them (during the few moments they had connection):
1. At what point are you on the route/descent? And when will you arrive?
M.O.: We are now at Concordia Circus, at about 4600 m altitude. We started our descent today after spending a week at base camp with the Italian-Pakistani women’s expedition. This week I also managed to fulfill a small dream of mine: to set foot on K2, reaching Camp 1 at 6100 meters above sea level. An impressive climb, because of the gradient; endless and unimaginable. Perhaps even unrepeatable, but incredibly exciting.
2. What was the most extraordinary thing about this experience and adventure?
M.O.: Getting to know a place and populations totally different from our own. Immense places capable of striking you to the deepest core. Women and men, who fortunately have not been infected by the negative side that is often brought in from the West. They still have a sense of sharing, of helping even though they have very little.
3. What was the thing that impressed you/you most during the days of ascent?
M.O.: The dimensions of the territory. The majesty of the mountains and the immensity of the glaciers. We followed the course of the Baltoro stream, which is the size of the Po here toward the mouth. Similarly, we ascended the Baltoro Glacier, which measures an average of 2 1/2 km wide. It almost makes an impression to think that to reach K2 base camp, at an altitude of 5,000 meters, we walked more than 100km.
4. In sharing Italian food, what was most appreciated?
M.O.: Extra virgin olive oil, because it reminds us of the taste of home. For Pakistani friends, it was an opportunity to discover a new flavor, far from their traditions.
M.O.: Last night we stood in for the expedition chef, bringing to the table the queen of the Mediterranean diet: pasta, tomato, oil and basil. Fun and also exciting experience: cooking together a dish of our tradition allowed us to see unexpected smiles and the pleasure of sharing our traditions, contaminating each other each other.
The K2-70 Expedition – A Unique Mission: the commitment and courage of the protagonists make us immensely proud to have supported the historic adventure with our products.
We will continue to enthusiastically follow every step of this extraordinary undertaking, inspired by the values of determination and courage at its heart.
The producers are thanked:
