A tragic true story of a group of 30 climbers who conquered the summit of K2 only for 11 to perish on the descent will be told in a gripping talk at Dundee University next weekend.
Graham Bowley, a writer for the New York Times and author of No Way Down: Life and Death on K2, will discuss how the group met with tragedy in 2008 during one of the most dramatic episodes in mountaineering history.
The talk will be the latest instalment of this year’s Saturday Evening Lecture Series and will see Graham decribe the fateful events that led to disaster and a group many without oxygen and some without headlamps being forced to descend in darkness and without protection after a huge chunk of ice destroyed their fixed guide ropes.
The harrowing stories include those of the young married couple whose rope was torn apart by an avalanche, sending the husband to his death, and the 61-year-old Frenchman who called his family from near the summit to say he would not make it home.
Graham’s talk is based on the research he carried out for his book, including in-depth interviews with survivors, family and friends of the deceased, and mountaineering experts.
No Way Back takes place at the Dalhousie Building at 6pm on Saturday, February 19. A drinks reception will follow the event, and overflow theatres may be in use.
Free tickets are available by calling 385564, emailing events@dundee.ac.uk or visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets.See Monday’s Courier for an exclusive interview with Graham Bowley.Photo by Flickr user mariachily.