Mike Farris talks about The 2008 Tragedy on K2

The deaths of eleven climbers on K2, the second highest peak in the world, was front page news around the world last August. Local climber and author Mike Farris organized and led an expedition to K2 in 2008, and he was climbing up the mountain for his summit attempt when the accidents occurred. As the only major climbing team that did not suffer any casualties, Mike's team was at the center of attempts to find missing climbers and rescue those who survived. Afterwards, Mike interviewed many of the survivors to get their first-hand stories. What emerges is a far more complex situation than anyone realized at the time, with many separate incidents leading to injury and death.

In his first public presentation since the tragedy, Mike will reconstruct the chain of events that led to the deaths and injuries and provide some insight into why they happened. As an experienced climber at extreme altitude and as author of The Altitude Experience, Mike will explain the unavoidable problems encountered when climbing K2 in the 21st century, and how these problems will almost certainly lead to more tragedies in the future. This will be a rare opportunity to experience the joy, terror, laughter, and tears of the summer of 2008 on K2.

Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased in the store, over the telephone (612-339-3433), or online. Proceeds to the families of the porters that died on K2. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

Friday, November 21, 7:00 pm, Humphrey Institute - Cowles Auditorium

This presentation is part of the Midwest Mountaineering Ourdoor Expo. Mel and I are going to this as well.