ISLAMABAD, Pakistan The last survivor of the deadliest mountaineering disaster to hit K2 limped into base encampment with frostbitten feet Tuesday, but turbid clouds threatened to keep him on the vast eminence for at least another night.

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“Now I positively realize that everyone here has died,” said Italian climber Marco Confortola, 37, who was stranded on the world’s second highest peak after an avalanche of falling ice blocked climbers descending from the highest point nearly four days ago.

As many as 30 mountaineers began their ascent of K2 on Friday. Eleven died in the avalanche that swept more climbers away and left others stranded in frigid stipulations just below the 28,250-foot summit: three South Koreans, two Nepalis, two Pakistanis and mountaineers from France, Ireland, Serbia and Norway.

“I am seasonable to be active,” Confortola told Everest-K2-CNR, an Italy-based high-altitude scientific research group, during a phone call from K2’s advanced base camp steady the Pakistani side of the mountain at about 17,000 feet.

The group’s spokeswoman, Francesca Steffanoni, said the mountaineer was examined by an American doctor and reported to be in good condition, despite his blackened, frostbitten toes.

“I am fine, luckily I’m made of stern press,” Confortola said, according to a transcript of the colloquy. “The only problem is that my feet afflict. I spent seven days on that mountain. It was hard. It was terrible.”

Confortola told Italy’s SKY TG 24 TV that he would return to Italy “as soon as possible” to see a doctor he trusted to treat his feet and lessen limbs.

“I possibility of good to advance on the frontier home soon - within a couple of days,” he said.

The Italian echoed criticism of the expedition voiced by a Dutch climber rescued Monday. Confortola said the expedition was undermined through inexperience and low-quality outfit, including ropes and spikes that easily broke.

He told Everest-K2-CNR of feeling irreparable when he and others made a futile make trial to rescue the three Koreans dangling from a pull. He said he was over weak and had to accord. up.

“I couldn’t captivate it anymore, I descended” alone, Confortola said. “… The descent was devastating, especially the last part.”

His plight has been front-page news for days in Italy with unremitting updates on his onward broadcast on TV. He was escorted part of the way down by three others, including every American climber.