Warid Telecom and Bank Alfalah jointly sponsors the Altitude Experience Team to climb K2

K2 – the world’s second highest peak – is located in the Karakoram Segment of the Himalayan range in Pakistan. The mountain has a history of ambitious high altitude climbers that wished to conquer the feat. Today, there are very few climbers that can actually claim that they have been to the top of one of the most magnificent peaks on Earth.

The mountain was first studied by a European survey team in 1856. Thomas Montgomerie was the member of the team who designated it "K2" for being the second peak of the Karakoram range. The other peaks were originally named K1, K3, K4 and K5, but were eventually renamed. During the years 1892 to 1939, the K2 climb was attempted at least 10 times during which every expedition failed and even some lives were lost. After being labeled the “Savage Mountain” for being the world’s most dangerous climb, some that failed said that K2 would never be climbed.

It wasn’t until July 31, 1954 that the first expedition was successful. The expedition was led by Italian Ardito Desio where only two of the climbers made it to the top through the Abruzzo Spur route. Although there are a few different routes to the top, they are all difficult and each has been achieved. Till November 2007, only 280 have completed the feat whereas 2600 individuals have climbed Mt. Everest (the world’s tallest peak).

The latest climbers to try this feat are made up of a team called the Altitude Experience team. The team consists of a diverse combination of eight international high altitude climbers. The Altitude Experience team is led by two Americans, Mike Farris and Chris Klinke and they both maintain that K2 is a little smaller but a lot harder.

Mike Farris is a great climbing enthusiast who has even written some books on the topic; he has gone to a maximum height of 8035m at the Gasherbrum I summit. Chris Klinke also left a successful career at American Express to follow his passion for mountain climbing; he has reached the highest peak at Mt. Everest at 8848m. Chhiring Dorje of Nepal is a professional climber with 9 feats of Mt. Everest, three of which were alone. Tim Horvath of the USA is an entrepreneur in the construction industry and a great climbing enthusiast; he has reached the peak of the Everest North Ridge at 8848m. Eric Meyer, an anesthesiologist by profession and also the team doctor, is from the United States; he has done a lot of research on the medical aspects of mountain climbing and has also peaked Mt. Everest. Fredrik Strang from Sweden is a professional adventurer, lecturer, photographer and a climbing enthusiast; he will be making a documentary of the trip and has also peaked the Mt. Everest North Ridge at 8848m. Paul Walters, an entrepreneur and climbing enthusiast from Australia has also peaked the Mt. Everest North Ridge at 8848m. Finally, Chris Warner from Australia has peaked at Cho Oyu at 8100m.

Warid Telecom is a leader in promoting missions that highlight tourism, sports and the softer side of Pakistan. Warid and Bank Alfalah’s latest joint sponsorship of the Altitude Experience Team to climb K2 is the latest addition to the group’s corporate social responsibility portfolio.

A blog is constructed on Warid’s official website (www.waridtel.com) that is linked to the Altitude Experience team. Mountain climbers and others can follow the route and experiences of our Altitude Experience team throughout their reach to the summit. The Altitude Experience team will be in full contact and providing regular updates through this blog.

On the occasion, Mike Farris said, “We are happy to be taking on the biggest challenge for mountain climbers in Pakistan, known for its scenic mountain ranges and bighearted hospitality.”

Marwan Zawaydeh – Chief Executive Officer, Warid Telecom added, “Mountain climbing to reach a peak like K2 consists of a combined team effort to achieve a difficult common goal. As a leading telecom operator in Pakistan we consider it our duty to portray the best image of the country. We hope to highlight Warid Telecom as an enlightened and responsible corporation and Pakistan as a great country with lots to offer.”

Shahzad Rauf – Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Warid Telecom said, “Warid Telecom stresses the need for pushing limits. We feel an appropriate parallel in our goals of achieving great feats in the Pakistani GSM industry as the Altitude Experience team does in achieving the K2 climb. We hope to continue sponsoring great milestones that are associated with greatness and Pakistan.”

S. M. Talib Rizvi – Group Head Priority Banking & Wealth Management, Bank Alfalah said, “We are proud to be part of a sponsorship that tests the limits. It is a positive reflection and great honour for Pakistan and also for our bank. We aim to continue supporting such efforts that are aimed at the image building for our country.”