Climbers Missing on Baintha Brakk II (6980m); Search and Rescue Mission Underway
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American alpinists Kyle Dempster and Scott Adamson, who were in Karakoram attempting the first ascent of Baintha Brakk II (Ogre II) North Face, have been out of contact since August 22nd. As per details shared by climbers’ families, the duo launched summit push from their Base Camp on August 21st. They estimated the climb and descent to take 5 days, and were last seen on the evening of 22nd, when their cook spotted them roughly halfway up the face. However, snow and clouds moved in following day, and the two climbers remained out of communication.
“Kyle and Scott have not been seen since Monday, August 22, no surprise given the complexity and scale of the terrain and the vagaries of the weather. On Sunday, August 28, family and friends initiated a search and rescue effort, assisted by local authorities and another climbing team on the Choktoi.” The climbers’ home team started a funding campaign today, to facilitate SAR operation.
The weather is still unfavorable, denying the possibilities of aerial search or teams moving the face. “Our friends and the families of Kyle and Scott are working vigorously with local Pakistani heli, porter, and fellow climbing teams to locate them on the mountain. Weather has not been in our favor. Visibility is next to none. Heli has not been cleared to launch. Our rescue team at basecamp has attempted to climb the descent route but have been turned back due to weather. They will continue to try with each window of opportunity. Yesterday, we were able to send a team off of high altitude porters from the back side of the Ogre, a possible alternate descent Kyle and Scott may have taken from the summit because of the storm. They are hiking in now. It's nighttime there. We hope for progress reports with the morning.”
Kyle Dempster and Scott Adamson had already attempted Baintha Brakk II (6980m) North Face in 2015 when an injury prevented them to go beyond 6600m. Whereas, Kyle Dempster and Hayden Kennedy opened a new route on adjacent Baintha Brakk I (7284m) in 2013.
Continue to Friday, September 2, 2016 Morning Update
American alpinists Kyle Dempster and Scott Adamson, who were in Karakoram attempting the first ascent of Baintha Brakk II (Ogre II) North Face, have been out of contact since August 22nd. As per details shared by climbers’ families, the duo launched summit push from their Base Camp on August 21st. They estimated the climb and descent to take 5 days, and were last seen on the evening of 22nd, when their cook spotted them roughly halfway up the face. However, snow and clouds moved in following day, and the two climbers remained out of communication.
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| “Weather falling apart and no place to bivouac. Climb on; search harder; need rest.” - Kyle Dempster about their attempt on the face in 2015. Source: Kyle Dempster / AAJ 2016 |
“Kyle and Scott have not been seen since Monday, August 22, no surprise given the complexity and scale of the terrain and the vagaries of the weather. On Sunday, August 28, family and friends initiated a search and rescue effort, assisted by local authorities and another climbing team on the Choktoi.” The climbers’ home team started a funding campaign today, to facilitate SAR operation.
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| Kyle Dempster in the middle of the north face of Ogre II, with the Choktoi Glacier below. Source: Scott Adamson / AAJ 2016 |
The weather is still unfavorable, denying the possibilities of aerial search or teams moving the face. “Our friends and the families of Kyle and Scott are working vigorously with local Pakistani heli, porter, and fellow climbing teams to locate them on the mountain. Weather has not been in our favor. Visibility is next to none. Heli has not been cleared to launch. Our rescue team at basecamp has attempted to climb the descent route but have been turned back due to weather. They will continue to try with each window of opportunity. Yesterday, we were able to send a team off of high altitude porters from the back side of the Ogre, a possible alternate descent Kyle and Scott may have taken from the summit because of the storm. They are hiking in now. It's nighttime there. We hope for progress reports with the morning.”
Kyle Dempster and Scott Adamson had already attempted Baintha Brakk II (6980m) North Face in 2015 when an injury prevented them to go beyond 6600m. Whereas, Kyle Dempster and Hayden Kennedy opened a new route on adjacent Baintha Brakk I (7284m) in 2013.
Continue to Friday, September 2, 2016 Morning Update
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| The north face of Ogre II. (1) The Adamson- Dempster's line of ascent in 2015. (2) The descent route; Source:Kyle Dempster / AAJ 2016 |
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