| K2 is one of the highest mountains on Earth, and is | | | | large Italian expedition. They summated at 6 P.M. |
| actually the second highest mountain, but is not very | | | | after running out of oxygen below the top. The |
| well known outside of climbing circles and mountain | | | | descent was rapid and in dangerous avalanche |
| climbing enthusiasts. The K2 has 8,611 meters as the | | | | conditions. |
| top elevation and is part of the Karakoram range. It | | | | The first United States ascent was in 1978 by Louis |
| is on the border between China and Pakistan. The K2 | | | | Reichardt and Jim Wickwire on September 6. The |
| is more dangerous to climb than Mount Everest and | | | | American team spent 67 days on K2, most above |
| is actually known as the Savage Mountain. For every | | | | 18,000 feet while climbing up the Northeast Ridge. An |
| four that ascend to the summit, one has died trying. | | | | amazing feat during this climb was that Wickwire |
| The name K2 was derived from the notation used | | | | spent, as a test, one night in the open at 27,000 |
| by the Great Trigonometric Survey. The mountains | | | | feet without food, oxygen or shelter. |
| of the Karakoram were sketched with the two most | | | | The first ascent by a woman took place in 1986 by |
| prominent peaks labeled K1 and K2. | | | | Wanda Rutkiewicz of Poland. Later that year Julie |
| The first attempt to climb K2 was in 1902 by Aleister | | | | Tullis of the United Kingdom also summited by died |
| Crowley and Oscar Eckenstein. They led a team of | | | | high on the mountain just a few days later. Sadly |
| six climbers on the Northeast Ridge. They made it up | | | | Rutkiewicz on her way to summit all 8,000 meter |
| to 21,400 feet before they failed after 68 days of | | | | peaks died while attempting her ninth peak, |
| climbing. This was when high altitude climbing was in | | | | Kangchenjunga in 1992. |
| it's very beginnings. | | | | The first ski descent of K2 was in 2009 by American |
| The first attempt to climb the Abruzzi Spur of K2 | | | | Dave Watson. He did not ski from the summit, but |
| was in 1909. The Duke of Abruzzi attempted the | | | | climbed the Abruzzi Spur till he was above the |
| Southeast Ridge, which has now been renamed to | | | | Bottleneck and then skied the first 60 degree slopes |
| the Abruzzi Spur. Twelve climbers managed to reach | | | | to The Shoulder and then continued to Camp 3 at |
| 20,500 feet. | | | | 24,000 feet. He rappelled 2,000 feet to Camp 2 |
| The first ascent of the summit happened in 1954 by | | | | where he skied 4,500 feet to the base. |
| Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni as part of a | | | | |