Mount K2, also known as the "Savage Mountain," is the second-highest peak in the world, standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level. It is located in the Karakoram Range, straddling the Pakistan-China border. K2 is renowned for its extreme difficulty and treacherous climbing conditions, making it one of the most dangerous mountains to scale. Its steep, icy slopes and unpredictable weather have earned it a reputation as a climber's challenge, with a fatality rate significantly higher than Mount Everest.
Unlike Everest, K2 does not have commercial expeditions, and it lacks the infrastructure and support that climbers rely on when attempting Everest. The peak has no "easy" route to the summit, with the most common being the Abruzzi Spur, which is still highly technical and perilous. One of the main dangers climbers face on K2 is the risk of avalanches, rockfall, and sudden changes in weather that can turn deadly within hours.
K2 was first summited on July 31, 1954, by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio, with Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli becoming the first humans to stand on its peak. Since then, fewer people have summited K2 than Everest, further highlighting its difficulty. Despite its challenges, K2 remains a prized goal for elite mountaineers and symbolizes the ultimate test of climbing skill and endurance.
