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K2 Survivor Details 'Terrible' Week On Mountain

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The Associated Press

Published: August 6, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The last survivor of the deadliest mountaineering disaster to hit K2 limped into base camp with frostbitten feet Tuesday, but thick clouds threatened to keep him on the mountain for at least another night.

"Now I really realize that everyone here has died," said Italian climber Marco Confortola, 37, who was stranded on the world's second highest peak after an avalanche of falling ice blocked climbers descending from the summit nearly four days ago.

As many as 30 mountaineers began their ascent of K2 on Friday. Eleven died in the avalanche that swept some climbers away and left others stranded in frigid conditions just below the 28,250-foot summit.

The dead include three South Koreans, two Nepalis, two Pakistanis and mountaineers from France, Ireland, Serbia and Norway.

"I am happy to be alive," Confortola told Everest-K2-CNR, an Italy-based high-altitude scientific research group, during a phone call from K2's advanced base camp on the Pakistani side of the mountain at about 17,000 feet.

The group's spokeswoman, Francesca Steffanoni, said the mountaineer was examined by an American doctor and reported to be in good condition, despite his blackened, frostbitten toes.

"I am fine, luckily I'm made of stern stuff," Confortola said, according to a transcript of the conversation. "The only problem is that my feet hurt. I spent seven days on that mountain. It was hard. It was terrible."

Confortola told Italy's SKY TG 24 TV that he would return to Italy "as soon as possible" to see a doctor he trusted to treat his feet and lower limbs.

"I hope to go back home soon - within a couple of days," he said.

The Italian echoed criticism of the expedition voiced by a Dutch climber rescued Monday. Confortola said the expedition was undermined by inexperience and low-quality equipment, including ropes and spikes that easily broke.

He told Everest-K2-CNR of feeling helpless when he and others made a futile attempt to rescue the three Koreans dangling from a rope. He said he was too weak and had to give up.

"I couldn't take it anymore; I descended" alone, Confortola said. "... The descent was devastating, especially the last part."

His plight has been front-page news for days in Italy with constant updates on his progress broadcast on TV. He was escorted part of the way down by three others, including an American climber.

Government officials in Islamabad promised to investigate the disaster.

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