Joyeusaz congratulations and answers on K2 (with skis)

Edmond Joyeusaz is one of the strongest extreme skiers in the world. Mountain guide and ski instructor, part of the many ski descents in the Alps and especially the Whites, he also made descents in the Himalayas, as the first on Shisha Pangma. And 20 years ago, he even tried to get out of K2. Obviously, he closely followed the descent of the Polish Andrzej Bargiel who managed to carry out the business that had been banned in bad weather.

Here is what he posted:

For a day of sunshine more … ..
These last days enjoying the good weather and excellent conditions of the mountain on 50 !!! mountaineers have reached the top of the K2, an incredible number if one takes into account the fact that until now including the latter, have reached the peak about 400 climbers. Among these was the Polish Andrzej Bargiel who made the first ski descent from the top of K2. He had already tried it last year without success, this time everything was going in the right direction. It's a big feat, few have tried, some have lost their lives (the Swedish Frederik Ericsson in 210 and the Trentino Michele Done). In 1998, I organized an expedition in K2 with 6 other alpine guides of Val d'Aosta in order to attempt the first descent of K2. It was an unfortunate expedition, immediately, during the approach, an SUV crashed into the Braldo River and two Pakistanis of our staff died. In two months of base camp there was only 4 days of sunshine and a lot of snow .. With huge efforts, however, we managed without oxygen tanks to place the field 4 on the # Shoulder of K2 a. 8000 m., During the mound of August 9th there was a strong storm with 70 cm of snow, we were forced to abandon the summit, but I put the same skis and j & # 39; I made a few turns and I fell; the wind was so strong that it made me lose my balance. I then decided to take it off to go on foot and it was not at all easy to find the way down; Fortunately, we were all guides with another 8000 behind us. Then there was no GPS and trackers to guide us, the night wind swept all the flags that marked the way, it was a miracle to find the way to the base camp. This year, no mountaineer reached the summit due to bad weather and poor mountain conditions and not even the following year, 99. In life, you have to catch the fleeting moment, the opportunities that arise. It gives you, but on this occasion you simply we did not have it … The memory of an extraordinary experience with a welded team remains, the satisfaction of being the first to think to such a project and regret for this sunny day that could change a lot of things. Congratulations again to Andrzej Bargiel.