Skardu

Skardu ČT from Klára Poláčková on Vimeo.

It’s almost hard to believe. Finally the moment has come. We’ve been looking forward to it for over six months. Now we’re here: Skardu, Pakistan. In a hotel at the foot of the Karakoram mountain range we are sitting around, gradually getting acquainted with members of another expedition who arrived the same time as we did. We’re recovering from the long travel, re-packing our bags, fine-tuning our plans, testing the gear, drying our clothes, drinking gallons over gallons of water, and sucking pastilles to fight off the sore throat. It appears that a terrific gang has gathered here. A Canadian, two Americans, a few Japanese, they all seem to be experienced and open-hearted people, even the weird Dutchman does. Three of them climbed Everest just three months ago, now eager to conquer the second highest peak in the world, K2, the dream of every mountaineer. The genius loci is ubiquitous. In the hotel lobby, everybody is elbowing their way to the wi-fi router like some wildlife animals struggling to be the first to drink. A Pakistani guy sitting close by suddenly turns to us, grinning: “I hear you’re from Czechia! Awesome! Czechs are so cool: Josef Rakoncaj, Josef Nezerka, and the funny guy whatsisname, the one with the ponytail… Mara Holecek! Can you get them some presents from me?”

Today is a day off. We’ve been in the town, shopping around, buying trifles, Petr had a ritual haircut done, even took the risk of getting shaved by a straight razor, Klára enjoyed an ice cream, most likely the last one before leaving the civilization behind. Due to the start of Ramadan, though, she could only eat it discreetly, right off the ice-cream wrapping so that no one could see. Tomorrow we will move over to Askole, one of the last villages that can be reached by car; from then on, we’ll continue on foot. We will be out of reach of phone signal and the Internet but we will be relying on a limited connection using a satellite modem. We can’t wait to take off. The trek ahead of us has been covered by most of those who ever attempted the K2, including the first ones – Italians – who reached the summit in 1954. By the way there is a lovely little museum here to commemorate their accomplishment. Anyway, the story is about to unfold!

Klára and Petr

Skardu Sunset from Klára Poláčková on Vimeo.

Skardu Sunrise from Klára Poláčková on Vimeo

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