K2 Women’s Expedition Tragedy. The expedition organized by Wanda Rutkiewicz-Scharfetter was further composed of Alicja Bednarz, Frenchwoman Christine de Colombel, Anna Czerwinska, Halina Krüger-Syro-komska, Aniela Lukaszewska, Dr. Jolanta Maciuch, Anna Okopinska, Ewa Pankiewicz, Marianna Stolarek, Krystyna Palmowska and Danuta Wach. After an 11-day approach, they arrived at Base Camp at 16,400 feet on July 19. Advance Base was placed at 17,725 feet at the foot of the Abruzzi Ridge on July 21. On the same day Camp I was pitched at 20,000 feet by Czerwinska and Palmowska. Camp II at 22,000 feet was established on July 27. On July 30 Halina Krüger-Syrokomska reached Camp II with Anna Okopinska. After supper she called Base Camp by radio. The talk was good-humored and did not signal anything wrong, resting in the tent with Anna, she suddenly died either from a heart attack or a stroke. Efforts to revive her by Anna and the Austrians failed. An art historian, at 44 years she was also one of the outstanding women climbers. She had made remarkable ascents in Europe and Asia. Perhaps the most notable was the ascent of Gasherbrum in 1975 with Anna Okopinska, the first ladies-only ascent of an 8000-meter peak. After some days action resumed. Czerwinska, Palmowska and de Colombel reached 23,300 feet on August 7, the expedition’s high point. More tries were made in doubtful weather. During August there were only two good days. Between September 15 and 26 the camps were brought back to Base Camp. The women’s party was accompanied by Wojciech Kurtyka and Jerzy Kukuczka.

JóZEF Nyka, Editor, Taternik, Poland