Summit Murder Mystery Series

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A spokesman for a Russian mountaineering team seeking to be the first to climb K2 in winter said Monday that it has abandoned the attempt after one of its members died on the mountain.  The 15 climbers had been on the mountain the world's highest after Mount Everest, since late December and were hoping to make a summit-push in mid March.  Naiknam Karm said one of the climbers died Monday of breathing difficulties at base camp and said the team was waiting for better weather before being flown from base camp by helicopter. Winter ascents of the world's 14 highest mountains are some of the most prized achievements left in climbing. K2 sees winter temperatures of 50 below zero and winds of up to 70 kilometers an hour (40 miles per hour) in winter. We are very sorry for the loss of your team member.

For many climbers of Mount Everest a practical diet while on the mountain is expected, non-refrigerated high in calories food that will fit into backpacks. However, this is not true for an expedition coming from Iceland who will experience gourmet meals each day of their climb up Mount Everest. The Iceland Everest Expedition of 2011 plans to reach Everest Base Camp and make their summit around April - May 2011. Their goal is to raise 1 million euros for Alzheimer's Research UK. The organization funds early onset Alzheimer's research. Currently, the menu is planned to have items such as Coq au Vin or Tuscan chicken, Catalan chicken and Boeuf Bourguignon and fine wines, in moderation. In order to make this possible, the food will be pre-cooked in the UK and then prepared on the mountain. The head chef has assured the climbers the meals will be to exact gourmet standards. Beyond the desire to have the comforts of fresh food on Everest, there is a more serious, medical reason f...