I have been running trips to the base of K2 since 1989. I have never climbed the mountain but was climbing a nearby high pass called Gondogoro La (5,940 metres) in 1998 when a similar ice avalanche tragedy happened. There was one immediate fatality. Please see picture of K2 as seen from Gondogoro La above. Here is a picture of a Pakistan Air Force C130 flying over the Baltoro Glacier next to the Trango Towers near K2. http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com/pakistan-trip-details/gondogorophoto2.html You can understand the scale of the place! http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com/pakistan-history.htm The above link relates to my father who being a Pakistan Air Force pilot used to fly in the Himalaya. He even flew Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt to Nanga Parbat in 1952. Even though I have never climbed K2, but have been in the area many times. I understand the situation at the Bottleneck and have always wondered when will that huge serac break away. There is a narrow gully above the shoulder of K2 between the huge hanging ice serac and the edge of the ridge on the left while going up to the summit. This narrow gully is the popular way up to the summit from the Shoulder. I understand that the weather was also fine. Perhaps the prolong affect of the clear skies and the Sun was conducive for this piece of ice to break away. However, ice seracs are unpredictible and it is a very tragic coincidence that it had to happen when so many were on the mountain. With my deepest condolences to the families of all climbers. Masood Ahmad