|
|
Every
year, Everest draws attention from the entire world. Climbers scale the
worlds tallest mountain virtually before an audience of millions, those
following the quests on their home computers.
As Everest close down, some time around the end of May, another drama
unfolds. This is the Karakorum season opening in Pakistan and China.
Usually far from the eyes of the international media, the worlds
foremost climbers assemble here in June and July, to climb the worlds
toughest alpine peaks. The crown of those is named K2.
Dubbed the "Savage Mountain," K2 in the Himalayas is Earth’s
second-highest peak and arguably the hardest climb in the world. With a
8,611-meter (28,250-foot) summit, routes that are steeper and more
difficult than those to the top of Everest, and surrounding weather that
is significantly colder and less predictable than on Everest, reaching
the top of K2 is the equivalent of winning the Olympic gold in
mountaineering.
It was first summitted in 1954 by two Italians: Lino
Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Since then, there have been 189
summits (compared with approximately 1400 on Everest). Forty nine
climbers have died on K2, twenty-two while descending from the summit.
In terms of the number of accidents that happen on the descent, it is
the most deadly mountain in the world. The statistics for female
climbers are particularly dramatic. Some even say K2 is "cursed" for
women. Five women have reached the top, but of those 5, three died on
the descent. (The other 2 have since died on other 8,000-meter peaks.)
 Situated
in the middle of an isolated paradise, it is thought to be part of the
fictional Shangri-La that James Hilton wrote about in Lost Horizon. This
remoteness adds to the beauty, but it also increases the danger. If
anything goes wrong on the mountain – even at Base Camp – it is almost
impossible to be evacuated by helicopter. On the north side of the
mountain, climbers are stranded for six weeks during the peak of the
season, when the rivers in the Shaksgam Valley flood and cannot be
crossed by the camels who accompany teams on the journey in.
In spite of the dangers, the mountain continues to lure climbers to it´s
slopes of dark gray rock. It is the ultimate fear and as such must be
faced and overcome by climbers aiming for alpine excellence. In scaling
Everest, you are a great climber to the world. Summit K2, and
 you
are a true climber to climbers.
K2 is the jealous king to Sagarmatha (Everest) the Mother Goddess. It is
an unforgiving, handsome and mighty mountain. If the Kings crown is what
you came for, be prepared to risk it all.
|
|
