We knew the feat was underway, but it was difficult to reach “Blutch” still perched somewhere on the flanks of K2 (8611 m, Pakistan). Good for him. It was important for him to be able to come down quietly and without pressure. Except that it was Blutch himself who contacted us via inReach this very morning. He confirms his remarkable ascent on Sunday July 29, 2024, alone, without oxygen, in alpine style and by a route other than the normal one, namely the Cesen spur and the “Basques” route. This combination of style, fair means and alternative route is extremely rare on an 8,000 m climb, and even more so on K2. These are the first words from Blutch, who is still overcome with emotion. We also hope to hear soon from Liv Sansoz and Bertrand “Zeb” Roche, who reached the summit on the same day, via the normal route.
Ahile the eyes of the world were on the phenomenon Benjamin Védrines, whose express ascent we reported yesterday, Sunday July 28, 2024, three other Frenchmen were engaged on the slopes of the Karakoram giant, K2 (8611 m) at the same time.
The first to be contacted was Jean-Yves Fredriksen, better known as Blutch. Mountain guide, high-altitude paragliding specialist (he has crossed the Himalayas entirely by air) and nomadic violinist. As Blutch wrote in the description of his project: “I’ve been avoiding the normal routes of the Alps for 35 years, not to stick to them during