LIMERICK mountaineer Mark Quinn (29), who departed Shannon Airport for Islamabad on June 20, will this week attempt his ascent of K5 – the eleventh highest mountain in the world.
He posted on his Facebook page on Monday: “Travelling at night is necessary now, daytime temperatures are too high and we risk that snow bridges collapse when we travel during the day.
“According to the weather forecast a good weather period will arrive around July 25 and we are aiming to summit Gasherbrum I (K5) then. If the weather stays we will attempt GII (K4) right after.”
Alongside the predominantly Belgian expedition, led by Dutch guide Arnold Coster, Mark reached base camp on July 10 after a 95-kilometre trek through the Boltoro glacier, the longest alpine glacier in the world.
Once there, they had to complete altitude training and await the correct weather conditions for their ascent.
Mark said that the kindness and hospitality of Pakistani locals since the group’s arrival was “really extraordinary”.
He added that he had met “some really brave people” including a female Pakistani TV presenter who travelled to the area to interview those involved in the tourist industry, despite being on a Taliban hit list.
In 2011, Mark became the youngest Irish person to conquer Mount Everest.
His chosen charities for his latest expedition are the Limerick-based mental health organisation Headstrong and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
For more information on the expedition, go to: www.facebook.com/mqclimbing or www.mycharity.ie/events/k4and5.
