Fast Facts About K2: The Second Highest Mountain in the World

K2, located on the Pakistan-Chinese border, is the second-highest mountain in the world. It is Pakistan's highest mountain; and the world's 22nd most prominent mountain. It has an elevation of 28,253 feet (8,612 meters) and a prominence of 13,179 feet (4,017 meters). It is located in the Karakoram Range. The first ascent was by Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli (Italy), July 31, 1954

Name Given by British Surveyor:
The name K2 was given in 1852 by British surveyor T.G.
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Fast Facts About K2: The Second Highest Mountain in the World
Fast Facts About K2
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Pakistan, Karakorum range, Concordia and K2 covered in snow
Art Wolfe / The Image Bank / Getty Images
by Stewart Green
Updated October 02, 2017
K2, located on the Pakistan-Chinese border, is the second-highest mountain in the world. It is Pakistan's highest mountain; and the world's 22nd most prominent mountain. It has an elevation of 28,253 feet (8,612 meters) and a prominence of 13,179 feet (4,017 meters). It is located in the Karakoram Range. The first ascent was by Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli (Italy), July 31, 1954

Name Given by British Surveyor:
The name K2 was given in 1852 by British surveyor T.G.

Montgomerie with "K" designating the Karakoram Range and "2" since it was the second peak listed. During his survey, Montgomerie, standing on Mt. Haramukh 125 miles to the south, noted two prominent peaks to the north, calling them K1 and K2. While he kept native names, he found that K2 did not have a known name.

Also Named Mount Godwin-Austen:
Later K2 was named Mount Godwin-Austen for Haversham Godwin-Austen (1834-1923), an early British surveyor and explorer. Godwin-Austen climbed 1,000 meters up a spur of Masherbrum above Urdukas and fixed the approximate height and position of K2 from there, according to Catherine Moorehead, the author of The K2 Man (And His Molluscs), a biography of Godwin-Austen. This alternate name was never recognized.

Balit Name for K2:
A name for K2 is Chogori, derived from Balti words chhogo ri, meaning "large mountain." The Chinese call the mountain Qogir meaning "Great Mountain," while Balti locals call it Kechu.

Nickname is "The Savage Mountain":
K2 is nicknamed the "Savage Mountain" for its severe weather. It is typically climbed in June, July, or August. K2 has never been climbed in winter.

Most Difficult 8,000-Meter Peak:
K2 is one of the most difficult of the fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, offering technical climbing, severe weather conditions, and high avalanche danger.