Expedition aborts Broad Peak ascent at 7,650 metres.

Byline: Jamal Shahid

ISLAMABAD -- Denis Urubko and two members of his expedition aborted their ascent of the 12th highest mountain in the world.The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said the mountaineers retreated on Broad Peak after reaching 7,650 metres.

'No ropes and a lot of crevasses between camp II and camp III,' ACP Secretary Karrar Haidri quoted Denis Urubko as saying, adding that the climbers were also too tired to break trail, it was becoming too risky, and they had little time with strong winds drawing in.

Mr Haidri told Dawn on Sundaythat the trio's fans, friends and family were following their progress closely.

'It was one of the most anticipated attempts this winter season,' he said.

However, the mountaineers have not said anything about the expedition being over yet. According to Mr Haidri, they are well acclimatised, suggesting that they may attempt again.

The ACP said that it was not just the crevasses that forced the climbers to abort. They had been braving strong wind and blowing snow that increased dramatically.

Around eight kilometres from K2, Broad Peak is 8,051 metres high and part of the Karakoram Range.

On March 5, 2013, a Polish expedition comprising Maciej Berbeka, Adam Bielecki, Tomasz Kowalski and Artur Maek made the first winter ascent of the mountain.

During their descent, Maciej...