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The search and rescue effort for Scott and Kyle is actively seeking funds. Donate here.
On Sunday, August 21, American alpinists Kyle Dempster and Scott Adamson made a second attempt on the 1,400m North Face of Baintha Brakk II (Ogre 2, 6969m) off the Choktoi Glacier in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. They had climbed approximately half way up the peak by the evening of their second day according to Ghatoor Abdul, their Pakistani cook who saw their headlamps. The team has not been seen since and a search and rescue mission has been established.
Tuesday afternoon, three days into their trip, a storm system rolled in. It is unclear where the pair were on the wall at the time. They had planned a five day trip but even with rationing, their food and fuel have certainly run out. Low cloud cover has so far prevented a helicopter reconnaissance. Local porters have been approaching the Choktoi glacier for visual inspection until a weather window opens for a helicopter recovery.
The pair have global rescue insurance, but their families are paying for the costs upfront. A Gofundme page has been established to help with the payments. Donate to the rescue effort here.
Last year, Dempster and Adamson attempted the unclimbed North Face of the Ogre II. Near the summit, Adamson took a 100-foot fall, breaking his leg at 6,600 meters. The pair descended. A few rappels from the base, they ripped a v-thread anchor, sliding 300 feet on the Choktoi glacier. Miraculously, they walked away from the second fall without further injury.