Skiing the peaks

Attempt to descend the world's three highest peaks – on skis

Fredrik Ericsson, a man attempting to ski down the three highest mountains in the world, has begun his challenge with K2 - the peak known as the “savage” mountain for the many fatalities among those who attempt to climb it.

Ericsson and his expedition partner, mountain journalist Trey Cook, arrived in Islamabad on the May 30th. Even reaching base camp on K2, however, proved an ordeal in itself. They faced the deepest snow for 15 years in the Gondogoro valley, thwarting their attempts to ski down Laila Peak. Aside from the treacherous terrain, they also had problems finding porters willing to go with them on their mission, carrying food and equipment. Despite this, they reached K2 base camp on June 22nd.

After leaving base camp, they pushed on to Camp 1 intending to reach Camp 2, but snow and fog meant they had to cut short this plan and ski down the Cesen Route back to base camp instead.  Having gained valuable experience of the mountain and begun to acclimatise, they are now planning the next attempt at Camp 2. In his blog, Trey Cook describes the ultimate goal of the attempt as, “of course”, a “complete descent from summit to base” on skis.

K2 is considered to one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. At least 76 people have died attempting to reach the summit, and Ericsson is all too aware of the dangers. Last year he attempted to ski down the mountain with his partner, Michele Fait. However, this was tragically cut short when Fait died after falling while skiing from Camp 2.

Ericsson plans to ski Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga over the next two years, intending to make his complete descent of K2 next month.

Read how the challenge is progressing at fredrikericsson.com