Photo credit: explorersweb.com
A New Way Up
A New Way Up documents an innovative expedition where two climbers merge climbing and paragliding to tackle a previously unclimbed peak in the Karakoram region.
The team consists of Fabi Buhl, a German climber, British alpinist Will Sim, and Jake Holland, a pilot and filmmaker who narrates their journey. Their diverse expertise plays a critical role in the success of their unique undertaking.
Fabi Buhl, left, and Will Sim scrutinize their climbing equipment. Photo: Screenshot
Throughout the film, Buhl and Sim are seen meticulously reviewing their gear, assessing various components, weighing them with care, and analyzing every detail to optimize their performance. Their professionalism and thorough preparation are evident.
Gulmit Tower, an imposing granite peak rising 5,801 meters, has thwarted previous summiting attempts, all of which originated from the village of Gulmit. Holland outlines their distinctive strategy: they will attempt the ascent from the south side by paragliding directly onto the mountain, followed by climbing the remaining distance to the summit.
Gulmit Tower. Photo: Screenshot
A Comfortable Base
Unlike traditional expeditions that often rely on austere tent camps, this team sets up their base in the lush town of Karimabad. Successful paragliding would drastically shorten the journey, transforming what could be days of arduous trekking into a mere hour-long flight. However, once airborne, their fate remains closely tied to the ever-changing weather conditions.
Karimabad, situated in the picturesque Hunza Valley. Photo: Screenshot
As they take to the skies, the tension builds due to unpredictable wind patterns that momentarily separate the three paragliders. Fortunately, they manage to regroup on the mountainside despite the challenging thermals. This strategic maneuver allows them to avoid the extensive trek and ascend two-thirds of the mountain in record time, capturing the breathtaking isolation of their location through expansive drone footage.
Preparing for the final ascent at dawn. Photo: Screenshot
This expedition remains a climbing venture, prompting the team to rise before dawn to tackle the summit. Minimal voiceovers accompany the visuals as Buhl and Sim, appearing as small figures against the vast mountain face, ascend, with Holland documenting their climb.
By noon, they reach the summit, and both climbers express disbelief at the feasibility of their rapid approach. “Twenty-four hours to climb basically a 6,000-meter mountain…starting at 2,500 meters in a hotel, without a helicopter,” Will comments. Fabi humorously adds, “It’s pretty crazy.”
Fabi and Will nearing the pinnacle of Gulmit Tower. Photo: Screenshot
A New Era?
After celebrating their success on the summit, the climbers descend to their camp, donning their wings for the descent. However, they face new challenges; while Jake and Will successfully glide to their hotel, the winds change and leave Fabi stranded in the Gulmit basin, isolated on the glacier.
After several hours of attempts, Fabi finally achieves liftoff and safely lands, yet his struggle highlights the inherent risks associated with their innovative method. Despite the challenges, the film concludes on a high note as the trio revels in the comforts of their hotel shortly after making history on Gulmit Tower.
The closing moments invite viewers to consider whether this pioneering hybrid approach marks a transformative shift in high-altitude exploration and alpinism.
Source
explorersweb.com