K2
File:K2-Animation 280611 DLR-Logo 1280x720.ogv
K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level. It is located on the border between Pakistan and China in the Karakoram range. K2 is also known as the "Savage Mountain" due to its extreme difficulty and high fatality rate among climbers.
Geography[edit | edit source]
K2 is part of the Karakoram range, which is a segment of the greater Himalayas. The mountain is situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China. The nearest major peaks are Broad Peak and Gasherbrum I.
Climbing History[edit | edit source]
The first serious attempt to climb K2 was made in 1902 by an Anglo-Swiss expedition led by Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley. The first successful ascent was achieved on July 31, 1954, by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio, with climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni reaching the summit.
Routes[edit | edit source]
There are several established routes to the summit of K2, the most popular being the Abruzzi Spur, which was first attempted by the Duke of the Abruzzi in 1909. Other notable routes include the North Ridge, the South-Southeast Spur, and the West Face.
Challenges[edit | edit source]
K2 is known for its technical difficulty and severe weather conditions. The mountain has a high fatality rate, with approximately one in four climbers perishing in the attempt. The combination of steep slopes, ice, and rockfall makes K2 one of the most challenging climbs in the world.
Significance[edit | edit source]
K2 holds a significant place in the mountaineering community due to its difficulty and the prestige associated with summiting it. It is often considered a more challenging climb than Mount Everest, despite being slightly lower in elevation.
Flora and Fauna[edit | edit source]
The harsh conditions on K2 mean that there is very little flora and fauna. The lower slopes may have some hardy plant species, but the higher elevations are devoid of life due to the extreme cold and lack of oxygen.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This mountain, mountain range, or peak related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
