ITALIAN MICHELE FIAT DIES ON K2

ITALIAN MICHELE FIAT DIES ON K2
Italian Falls to Death on K2 While Trying to Acclimatize W/ Partner Fredrik Ericsson

Italian Michele Fiat tumbled to his death yesterday on Pakistan’s 28,251-foot K2. Fiat planned on becoming the first skier, along with Swedish partner Fredrik Ericsson, to ski the second highest mountain on Earth. Powder has been following the duo’s progress the last couple of weeks via Ericsson’s comprehensive accounts he has been sending to various media outlets. In fact, after the two arrived at base camp two on June 18, we posted a story from Ericsson chronicling their partial ski of K2’s lower flanks in their exhausting efforts to acclimatize. Since Italians Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedell first summited K2 in 1954, the mountain has claimed 77 lives from 1954 to August of 2008. Nearly 300 people have reached the summit of the peak known as the most difficult mountain to climb in the world.

Sean Wisedale, the first African to climb the highest mountain on each continent, is currently one of four expeditions up on K2. On June 23, he reported the accident on his blog. ( http://seanwisedale.com/blog/)

Swedish extreme skier Fredrik Ericsson and Italian Michele Fait were attempting to be the first to ski down K2. This morning, the weather was perfect – which was of no benefit to Fait. On the descent, the worst scenario possible happened - Fiat plummeted. Ericsson was skiing lower down the slopes and after he had seen Fiat fall, began to haul upwards to get to him. At Base Camp we watched, unsure if the fall had been fatal or not. We started to construct a make-do stretcher and prepare to assist with the rescue effort. Our leader Fabrizio headed out back up the middle of the glacier and we watched as Ericsson and Fabrizio reached Fait’s limp body 20 minutes later and began to lower him down to the base of the route. The slopes are avalanche prone and as the pair descended, Fabrizio then approached them from below. There is no way to safely recover Fait’s body today…he is secured on the slope. Fabrizio and Ericsson descended to base camp and we will attempt to recover his body tomorrow at first light. In our camp, the mood is obviously very glum. Truthfully, it would be wise to return home. But K2 has a powerful presence and attraction; and we intend to continue our attempt to reach the top safely. It’s snowing right now. May Michele Fait rest in peace.

Yesterday, June 24, Wisedale reported more news regarding the recovery of Fiat’s body on his blog.

We left base camp at 07h00 this morning for the foot of the Cesen route to recover Michele Fait’s body. The weather was perfect but there was a wind building from the west. Wim, Wilky, Jake, Fabrizio, Tunc, Dave, Fredrik (Michele’s skiing partner), Dave from the German expedition and I set out. On the walk in we could see Michele’s body lying on the slope. The details of the recovery are grim, save to say his body is wrapped and buried. Ten strong men stood in respect of a fellow mountaineer. Fredrik wept at the passing of his friend. God bless Michele Fait – may he rest in peace. Our condolences to his family.