A group of Basque mountaineers, who have been travelling throughout the Karakorum range (Pakistan) over the last two decades and thus have struck up friendships with many of the inhabitants of the region, came to see the necessity of setting up some sort of scheme to help improve living conditions in the area. The idea, once formed, lacked the means by which to make it a reality. In the end two very different incidents helped it take shape. The first was the award won by the 1999 expedition, made up of the Iņurrategi brothers, Felix and Alberto, José Carlos Tamayo and Jon Lazkano, to rescue a badly injured South American mountaineer on Nanga Parbat (8125m). The bravery displayed
in such adverse conditions was recognised by the Gipuzkoa regional council in the year 2000.
That same year saw the second of the two incidents with the tragic disappearance of Felix Iņurrategi on Gasherbrum II (8035m). His brother and companions held no doubts that the award they received would be the germination of the Felix Iņurrategi-Baltistan Foundation, whose aim is to help the people of Machulu and the surrounding area and to improve living conditions with projects directed towards the most basic aspects of life and the most urgent: education, agriculture, infrastructures etc. This became a way, however minimal, of returning the affection and friendship which Basque mountaineers have always found there.
The gala opening for the public of the Felix Iņurrategi-Baltistan Foundation was held in 2001 with a transmission by ETB and the collaboration of artists such as Ainhoa Arteta and Mikel Urdangarin. Public response and support from companies and institutions was immediate. Now the Foundation has around 400 collaborating members, including representatives from many businesses and other organisations. With their help it is possible to promote the economic, social and cultural development of Machulu and its surroundings.
Since its beginnings the Foundation has had a very clear philosophy of developing the projects it has started to their fullest. The objective is always to give Machulu and its inhabitants the necessary means and infrastructures to promote their own development, rather than merely sending food and money.
A group of Basque mountaineers, who have been travelling throughout the Karakorum range (Pakistan) over the last two decades and thus have struck up friendships with many of the inhabitants of the region, came to see the necessity of setting up some sort of scheme to help improve living conditions in the area. The idea, once formed, lacked the means by which to make it a reality. In the end two very different incidents helped it take shape. The first was the award won by the 1999 expedition, made up of the Iņurrategi brothers, Felix and Alberto, José Carlos Tamayo and Jon Lazkano, to rescue a badly injured South American mountaineer on Nanga Parbat (8125m). The bravery displayed
in such adverse conditions was recognised by the Gipuzkoa regional council in the year 2000.
That same year saw the second of the two incidents with the tragic disappearance of Felix Iņurrategi on Gasherbrum II (8035m). His brother and companions held no doubts that the award they received would be the germination of the Felix Iņurrategi-Baltistan Foundation, whose aim is to help the people of Machulu and the surrounding area and to improve living conditions with projects directed towards the most basic aspects of life and the most urgent: education, agriculture, infrastructures etc. This became a way, however minimal, of returning the affection and friendship which Basque mountaineers have always found there.
