WARSAW: Scaling the world’s second-highest peak, K2, in winter is one of the last great feats in mountaineering — and despite what some see as a lack of experience, 28-year-old Pole Magdalena Gorzkowska wants to be the first to do it.
If Gorzkowska, a medal-winning runner who also became the youngest Polish woman ever to climb Mount Everest, makes it to the summit, she will have made history and silenced those who see her attempt as a social media stunt with no chance of success.
“Everyone can have their opinion, and some believe that it takes many years to be able to face such challenges. I just do what I feel I can do,” Gorzkowska told Reuters by telephone from her base camp. “Why should I limit myself?“
Gorzkowska is one of several mountaineers attempting this winter to scale K2, which at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) is second only to Mount Everest.
Gorzkowska, who is being accompanied by sherpas, said she had returned to her base camp, at an altitude of 5,000 meters, after an acclimatization trip that saw her spend a night at a camp at 6,550 meters.
“The conditions were very difficult. The mountain gives you a hard time, it is very demanding. You have to climb hard all the time, the wind is very strong. It is at least minus 30 degrees non-stop,” she said.
K2, in the Karakorum mountains along the border between China and Pakistan, is notorious for its high winds, especially steep and icy slopes, and a high fatality rate among climbers. Eighty-six climbers are reported to have died on its slopes.
Two years ago, a Polish team abandoned their attempt to reach the summit in winter due to heavy snow.
The scale of the challenge has made some in the male-dominated world of Polish mountaineering regard her bid with skepticism.
“Just wait for the desire to attack K2 in winter to be announced by top Polish Youtubers, Instagrammers or other influencers,” Polish mountaineer Marcin Miotk said, on hearing the news of her attempt.
Gorzkowska is unfazed by such comments.
“I dreamt of K2 in winter and that’s why I’m here. Maybe they (her critics) don’t have dreams like that, maybe they aren’t so determined,” she said.
‘Why limit myself?’ Polish climber aims to defy critics with K2 bid
https://arab.news/vd5d7
‘Why limit myself?’ Polish climber aims to defy critics with K2 bid
- 28-year-old Pole Magdalena Gorzkowska is a medal-winning runner who also became the youngest Polish woman ever to climb Mount Everest
- Two years ago, a Polish team abandoned their attempt to reach the summit in winter due to heavy snow
Karachi port sees rise in transshipment activity as Middle East tensions reshape shipping routes
- Two vessels dock simultaneously at Karachi terminals as regional cargo redistribution grows
- New feeder service has been launched to link Karachi with UAE hubs Fujairah and Khor Fakkan
KARACHI: Karachi Port is seeing increased transshipment activity and new feeder links to Gulf logistics hubs as shipping lines adjust regional routes amid tensions linked to the war involving Iran, port authorities said on Thursday.
Two vessels carrying transshipment cargo docked simultaneously at the port, according to a statement, highlighting its growing role in redistributing containers across Middle Eastern shipping routes.
The development comes as the conflict in the Middle East raises concerns about disruptions to critical energy and trade corridors.
The war has already pushed up oil and gas prices and heightened risks for shipping across Gulf waters, prompting logistics companies to reassess routes and rely more heavily on regional hubs outside potential conflict zones.
“The simultaneous handling of transshipment containers at Karachi Port highlights the port’s strong operational capacity, efficient port infrastructure, and strategic geographic advantage in supporting regional maritime logistics, container shipping operations, and uninterrupted international trade during ongoing disruptions in global shipping routes,” the official statement said.
“As transshipment cargo volumes continue to increase, Karachi Port is steadily strengthening its reputation as a key maritime logistics hub in South Asia and the Middle East regions, further reinforcing Pakistan’s role in international shipping and maritime connectivity,” it added.
FEEDER SERVICE
Separately, Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL) said a dedicated feeder service linking Karachi with the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan has begun operations, strengthening connectivity between Pakistan and key Gulf transshipment hubs.
The inaugural voyage of the service arrived at the terminal on the evening of March 11, marking the start of regular operations aimed at maintaining reliable links between Pakistani exporters and global shipping networks.
“The commencement of this feeder service reflects KGTL’s continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s maritime connectivity and supporting the country’s trading community,” Khurram Aziz Khan, KGTL chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“By linking Karachi directly with major UAE transshipment hubs, this service provides importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks while reinforcing the role of Karachi Gateway Terminal as a key gateway for international trade,” he added.
Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral (r) Shahid Ahmed said stronger links with regional hubs would help facilitate smoother cargo movement.
“The introduction of this feeder service further enhances Karachi Port’s connectivity with key regional hubs and supports Pakistan’s growing trade requirements,” he said.
“Strengthening maritime links with the UAE will help facilitate smoother cargo movement while providing greater flexibility for the country’s trading community.”
