Expedition report from Pakistan -- May 18

As equipment straggles in, the trek to base camp begins

Arranging the baggage

Our team is all here, where we will remain until tomorrow when we leave for Gilgit. Then to Kashgar.

Our gear is not all here. Some of the shipments from Poland will arrive in the next few days. Two of us may have to stay behind, to handle the arrangements and then catch up.

We're 12 strong now. Two more Polish climbers were added to the team.

We did get a satellite phone, which we're taking with us to base camp. We haven't figured out the generator/solar cell power supply just yet. We're working on that. Pakistan discourages use of the phone inside Pakistan.

We spent the day yesterday finalizing arrangements with the local outfitter, Adventure Tours Limited. I spent the day reviewing the gear I brought--and signing postcards.

Last night we visited the home of a representative of the Polish Embassy, and eating out after all of us consumed more drink than we should have. We're starting to get to know each other better.

Krzysztof Wielicki, the leader, is the essence of energy in motion. He's everywhere, and into everything. It's a pleasure to be on his team. It's unusual to find so many experienced, accomplished climbers together. For example, last night I found out Ryszard Pawlowski has climbed Everest twice, Ama Dablam seven times, Makalu three times, and did the Nose on El Cap and Half Dome in Yosemite back in the early '80s. I think his 8,000-meter count is at four. He did Nanga Parbat.

Piotr Pustelnik, my friend from three previous expeditions, will be helping with communications via satellite phone. We'll call as soon as we can.

Best wishes,

R.D.