After mostly climbing (and
skiing) solo for the better part of the last 2 years, Kevin and I decided to climb
something together. After Nun, we considered a number of objectives including
Reo, Satopanth and Sasser, but we finally agreed on Kun. Initially, it was just
Kevin and I, who were part of the team. We didn’t get our preferred July-Aug
window from the IMF so we settled for the only available slot, i.e. June-July.
The peak was booked almost a year in advance. About 5 or 6 months before the
expedition, Samarth, a good friend, expressed interest in the project. I was
apprehensive initially but agreed once we discussed his training regimen and
his background in the Himalayas. Samarth also suggested that one of his close
friends V might be interested in the expedition. I was not sure about a fourth
member in the team; like they say, “three is a crowd”. But Samarth suggested
that his friend won’t be a burden and will not affect the balance of the team
adversely. Hesitantly, I agreed, but requested Samarth to keep me posted about
V’s preparations and his own progress.