Feb 26, 2018
A Polish expedition hoping to complete the first winter ascent of the world’s second-highest mountain, K2, says one of its climbers appears to have launched an unauthorised solo attempt.
Russo-Polish mountaineer Denis Urubko left teammates on Saturday at the base camp on the border between Pakistan and China, a spokesman told the BBC.
The 44-year-old split off from the group after a series of arguments.
One climber described a solo attempt in winter as “completely suicidal”.
Expedition spokesman Michal Leksinski said he thought Urubko wanted to reach the top this month so his effort would definitely count as a winter climb.
Leksinski said he trusted his colleague to turn back if he had to, rather than endanger himself or the team. He believes the next 48 hours are critical.
