K2 is located in the Karakoram mountain range in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) high, making it the second-highest mountain in the world. For most climbers, it is more difficult to climb than Mount Everest. It can be accessed from China and Pakistan. In Pakistan, it can be reached via Askoli in the Shigar valley and Gondogoro Pass in Hushe valley. In China, it can be accessed via the Shaksgam valley.
K2 History and Naming
The name K2 was first used by Thomas Montgomerie during the initial survey of the Karakoram as part of the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India. They substituted local names with a “K” suffix and, while surveying from Mount Harmukh some 210 kilometers to the south, they sketched and named the two most prominent peaks as K1 and K2. However, the local Balti people used to refer to K1 as Masherbrum and K2 as Chhoghori (چھوغوری). After a few years, Masherbrum was adopted in official documents. Nevertheless, Chhoghori’s name was officially changed to K2 and became internationally recognized.
In ancient times, Balti people used to travel to Kashghar in Turkistan (present-day Xinxiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China) via the Muztagh Pass. This was one of the ancient trade routes used by Baltis and Uyghurs. Many Baltis settled in Kashghar. Salman Rashid, a Pakistani writer, has written a book about this route called “Apricot Road to China.” He went to Kashghar and met a few Balti families now settled there. Their forefathers used to travel from Baltistan via the Muztagh Pass. Balti people named several glaciers, peaks, and valleys, even inside China. They named them Biafo Glacier, Chogholisa (Great hunting place), Trango (vertical peak), Gasherbrum (beautiful massif), and so on.
First Attempt of K2
Martin Convoy reached K2 base camp with a British team via Concordia and the Baltoro Glacier. In 1902, the first serious attempt was undertaken by Jules Jacot-Guillarmod, Oscar Eckenstein, A. Heinrich Pfannl, Guy Knowles, Victor Wessely, and Aleister Crowley via the Northeast Ridge. The team reached an altitude of 6,225 meters after several attempts. In 1909, a team led by the Duke of the Abruzzi and Prince Luigi Amedeo reached an altitude of 6,250 meters (20,510 ft) on the Southeast Spur, now known as the Abruzzi Spur. K2 was first climbed by Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni in 1954. K2 is considered the deadliest mountain, as over 80 climbers have lost their lives while attempting to climb it. In comparison, more than 4,000 people have successfully climbed the highest mountain, Mount Everest (8,848m), while just over 350 people have managed to scale K2 (8,611m).
K2 First Winter Ascent
On 16 January 2021, a group of Nepali Sherpas climbed K2 for the first time in winter. Read more here Climbers Make The First Winter Ascent of K2 and set World Record
How to Reach K2 Base Camp?
A jeep road connects Skardu city with Askoli, the last settlement on the way to the central Karakoram in Baltoro. Trekking begins from the village of Askoli, taking approximately one week to reach the base camp. Trekkers often prefer to spend a night at various camping sites, including special camps known as ‘Parao’ in the local language. Porters are essential for carrying trekking gear, tents, and food items. If you are a foreign climber or trekker, you must have a licensed guide and a trekking visa. After a lengthy journey, you will arrive at Concordia, the meeting point of the Godwin Austin glacier and the Baltoro glacier. It is from this vantage point that you can catch your first glimpse of K2.
Another route to access K2 is via the Gondogoro Pass in the Hushe valley. This is the shortest route to reach K2 but involves some climbing on fixed ropes. Most climbers and trekkers opt for this route when returning from K2.
Movies on K2 Mountain
Numerous documentaries and action movies have featured K2 as their backdrop. Notably, two successful Hollywood movies, “K2” in 1991 and “Vertical Limit” in 2000, were filmed on this imposing mountain. Other notable films include “The Summit” in 2012, “K2: Siren of the Himalayas” in 2012, and “K2 and the Invisible Footman” in 2015.
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