Within reach? More than 1400 m difference in altitude are still missing

The Nanga train is rolling again. After they had been stuck in Camp 2 at 6,100 meters for a day due to strong winds, the Spaniard Alex Txikon, the Pakistani Ali Sadpara, the Italian Simone Moro and the South Tyrolean Tamara Lunger today ascended on the Kinshofer route – the normal route on the Diamir side of Nanga Parbat – to Camp 3 at 6,700 meters. “The summit looks really close from here”, Simone radioed to Base Camp. On Thursday, the quartet wants to reach the last scheduled high camp at 7,200 meters. If everything matches, the four climbers plan to set off for their summit attempt on Friday.

“Dinner is served”

The weather forecast is favorable. Quiet winter weather is expected for Friday and Saturday : clear view, no snowfall, little wind – actually best conditions for the first winter ascent of the 8,125-meter-high mountain in Pakistan. But the international team has still to climb more than 1,400 meters to the highest point. It’s a long and hard road. Not for nothing more than two dozen attempts to climb Nanga Parbat in winter have failed so far. So fingers crossed!