BALTORO - K2 CHASM

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The orifice of a large chasm is visible for CÍLEK, V (1988: 128) and CÍLEK, V et al. (1989: 11, item 5), on a photo in National Geographic [vol. 155, no. 5 May 1979, page 626 right]. WHITTAKER, J W (1979) chose this photograph, which was taken by Robert T. Schaller Junior (a Seattle surgeon) to narrate how Curiosity brought Craig Anderson onto a footbridge over a chasm looking like a miniature skier improbably stranded in wildly eroded terrain (note 1). DESIO & ZANETTIN (1970) studied the geology of the Baltoro basin. SITUATION 1979 (after WHITTAKER, J W 1979): At an unspecified location somewhere on the more than 100 miles long trek from the road head Baha (note 2) along the gorge of the Braldu River (N35°39': E075°28') and via the Baltoro Glacier (note 3) to the basecamp at an altitude of 16,300 feet (4968 m) near the snout of Godwin Austen Glacier (note 4) at the foot of the peak K2 (note 5). SITUATION 1988: Area Baltoro - K2 (CÍLEK 1988: 128; CÍLEK et al. 1989: 11, item 5). CAE DESCRIPTION: The dramatic picture depicts the top of what looks like an approximately 4 m wide meandering gorge cutting through well compacted (Pleistocene?) conglomerate. The surrounding rock surface is obviously (sub-glacially) peneplained and marked by deeply eroded karren (karren, grykes & clints, lapiaz). CAVE POTENTIAL 1998: Contrary to development of Nepal Himalaya the Karakoram and Hindukush underwent long and complex weathering history (CÍLEK 1988: 128; CÍLEK et al. 1989: 11, item 5). CAVE POTENTIAL 1993: It is not impossible but effective, if not quick and easy, to explain the chasm away: Cave entrances have been reported (Czech Speleo Expe 1985) in the region of K2 and Gasherbum [note 6]. However, correspondence (personal) with several trekking organisations and climbing expedition members who frequently visit the area have indicated that this is not the case. … these 'cave sightings' may in fact be ice caves [note 7] lying at the foot of glaciers / snow patches and tis would not be the first time that ice darkened by [a covering blanket of] glacier debris has been wrongly identified as limestone and ice caves confused for rock caves (e.g. Leakey 1960's) [note 8] (BROOKS, S J 1993c: 2, 1994c: 13).E DESCRIPTION: The dramatic picture depicts the top of what looks like an approximately 4 m wide meandering gorge cutting through well compacted (Pleistocene?) conglomerate. The surrounding rock surface is obviously (sub-glacially) peneplained and marked by deeply eroded karren (karren, grykes & clints, lapiaz). CAVE POTENTIAL 1998: Contrary to development of Nepal Himalaya the Karakoram and Hindukush underwent long and complex weathering history (CÍLEK 1988: 128; CÍLEK et al. 1989: 11, item 5). CAVE POTENTIAL 1993: It is not impossible but effective, if not quick and easy, to explain the chasm away: Cave entrances have been reported (Czech Speleo Expe 1985) in the region of K2 and Gasherbum [note 6]. However, correspondence (personal) with several trekking organisations and climbing expedition members who frequently visit the area have indicated that this is not the case. … these 'cave sightings' may in fact be ice caves [note 7] lying at the foot of glaciers / snow patches and tE DESCRIPTION: The dramatic picture depicts the top of what looks like an approximately 4 m wide meandering gorge cutting through well compacted (Pleistocene?) conglomerate. The surrounding rock surface is obviously (sub-glacially) peneplained and marked by deeply eroded karren (karren, grykes & clints, lapiaz). CAVE POTENTIAL 1998: Contrary to development of Nepal Himalaya the Karakoram and Hindukush underwent long and complex weathering history (CÍLEK 1988: 128; CÍLEK et al. 1989: 11, item 5). CAVE POTENTIAL 1993: It is not impossible but effective, if not quick and easy, to explain the chasm away: Cave entrances have been reported (Czech Speleo Expe 1985) in the region of K2 and Gasherbum [note 6]. However, correspondence (personal) with several trekking organisations and climbing expedition members who frequently visit the area have indicated that this is not the case. … these 'cave sightings' may in fact be ice caves [note 7] lying at the foot of glaciers / snow patches and tis would not be the first time that ice darkened by [a covering blanket of] glacier debris has been wrongly identified as limestone and ice caves confused for rock caves (e.g. Leakey 1960's) [note 8] (BROOKS, S J 1993c: 2, 1994c: 13).