Gasherbrum II. Again a number of expeditions have climbed Gasherbrum II by the normal route. All the members of a Japanese expedition reached the summit on July 26. They were Haruyuki Endo, leader, his wife Yuka, Osame Tanabe and Takao Suzuki. This is the third 8000er which the Endos have climbed together, having been on Nanga Parbat in 1988 and Gasherbrum I in 1989. The select group of husbands and wives to have climbed an 8000er together is small. A Belgian expedition, led first by Jo de Smedt and then by Mrs. Greet Bauwens, climbed the peak by the normal route. On August 1, Vincent Dewaele and Renaat Muys reached the summit. Mark Ausloos had to turn back at 7800 meters, suffering from exhaustion. Other members were Dr. André Dewulf and Koen Stevens.