Following a terrorist attack in north Pakistan that killed 10 people, mountaineer Gregory Attard has been given the green light for an expedition set to make him the first Maltese to conquer two Himalayan peaks.
Yesterday morning, the 36-year-old doctor left the village of Skardu (where he had been waiting since last week’s attack) for the base camp of Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II, two 8,000-metre mountains he will attempt to scale consecutively, within a few weeks.
His historic mountaineering bid started off on the wrong foot, after he narrowly missed one of the worst attacks on climbers to date.
Last Sunday, gunmen stormed the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth highest mountain, also located in Pakistan, and shot dead nine foreign trekkers and a Pakistani guide.
Pakistan’s Taliban movement and a smaller militant group both claimed responsibility. The Taliban movement said it would continue to target foreigners.
The day before the massacre, Dr Attard passed by Nanga Parbat in transit.
Together with his team of two foreigners and two Sherpas (guides), Dr Attard waited in the Skardu while the Pakistani government assessed the situation and considered withdrawing all climbing permits.
However, on Wednesday, the team obtained the go-ahead from the Pakistani Ministry of Tourism.
The livelihood of the people living in the impoverished mountain regions depends heavily on the climbing season.
Speaking to The Sunday Times of Malta, Dr Attard discussed his experience and his decision to proceed.
“There are no words to describe such an atrocity. The whole climbing community is extremely shaken. Climbers had never been directly targeted in a terrorist attack before.
“To claim that I’m not afraid would be presumptuous of me and so untrue. I’m aware of the risks involved but I’m also confident that provisions are in place to reduce these risks.
“Confidence will come with every passing, uneventful day. For now, all I can do is be vigilant and pray.
“May the determination of those who have chosen to persevere send a message of hope to an amazing country plagued by obsessions of a few evil men.”