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THIS SUMMER Don Bowie (Canada) and Alexey Bolotov (Russia) return to the the Gasherbrum mountain range in Baltoro, Pakistan. The two alpinists will decide on particular objectives based on specific conditions in the region, and have secured a few seperate permits to keep their options open. Of the 6 main peaks comprising the Gasherbrum massive, 4 are of interest to Don and Alexey:


GASHERBRUM I (also known as Hidden Peak or K5) is the 11th highest peak on Earth, located on the Pakistan-China border in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Gasherbrum I is part of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram region of the Gasherbrum is often claimed to mean "Shining Wall", presumably a reference to the highly visible face of the neighboring peak Gasherbrum IV; but in fact it comes from "rgasha" (beautiful) + "brum" (mountain) in Balti, hence it actually means "beautiful mountain."

GASHERBRUM II (also known as K4) is the 13th highest mountain on Earth, located on the border of Pakistan occupied Kashmir - China. Gasherbrum II is the third highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram range of the Himalaya.

GASHERBRUM III, at 7952m (26,088ft), and GASHERBRUM IV, at 7925m (26,000ft) are respectively the world's 15th- and 17th-highest peaks. Completely overlooked in the rush to the fourteen 8000m peaks, G3 has had only 2 ascents, both by the same route, which put 7 people on its summit; G4 is rather better known for its singular elegance and for its extreme difficulty, as a result of which its true summit has still seen only 9 pairs of feet (on 4 expeditions between 1958 and 1997)

Don Bowie (Canada) Alexey Bolotov (Russia)
Untagged  24 May 2008 2:00 AM
Iņaki Ochoa de Olza's family expresses gratitude by The Web Team

It is about impossible to personally express our gratitude to all those who helped us at overcoming our pain of loosing Iñaki, we would like to tell that through the words of so many cheer messages, through the vital cooperation and the work developed along those intense days of personal efforts at fighting his deadly disappearing, have been an important medicine to sooth our pain.

 

The disappearance of someone as healthy and stable, so bright and joyful as Iñaki has awaken a social solidarity movement with his way of walking through life and mountains, far above expectations. By noticing the help you all wanted to bring him right in front of death, you allow us to believe and feel that there are reasons not to forget his joy, and to hope that his style helps others to build their own love for freedom.

 

Father, Mother and Brothers of Iñaki Ochoa de Olza Seguín, May 23, 2008

 

Siendo imposible expresar personalmente nuestra gratitud a cuantos han contribuido a mitigar el dolor por la pérdida de Iñaki, queremos manifestar, por medio de esta nota, que tantos mensajes de ánimo, colaboración vital y la aportación de intensas jornadas de esfuerzo personal para luchar contra su mortal desaparición han sido un paliativo muy importante para nosotros.

 

La desaparición de alguien tan sano y cabal, lúcido y alegre como Iñaki ha despertado un reflujo social de solidaridad con su forma de andar la vida y la montaña muy por encima de cualquier expectativa. Al constatar la ayuda que habéis querido prestarle frente a la muerte, nos permitís el importante consuelo de creer y sentir que hay razones para no olvidar su alegría, y esperar que su estilo sirva a otros para construir su propio amor a la libertad.

 

Los padres y hermanos de Iñaki Ochoa de Olza Seguín, a 23 de mayo de 2008



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