Overview
K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world, with a summit elevation of 8,611 meters. It lies on the border between Pakistan and China in the Karakoram range. Its name derives from a survey notation, "Karakoram 2," made during the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1856.
Geography and Physical Features
K2 is known for its strikingly steep pyramidal shape, with extreme vertical relief on all sides. Unlike Everest, it has no easy route, and all paths involve technical climbing on rock, ice, and snow. Major routes include the Abruzzi Spur on the Pakistani side and the North Ridge on the Chinese side.
Significance
Often called the "Savage Mountain," K2 has earned a fearsome reputation due to its difficulty and lethality. The first successful ascent was made by an Italian expedition in 1954. For decades, no climber summited K2 in winter, a feat finally accomplished in January 2021 by a team of Nepali mountaineers.
Notable Facts
K2 has one of the highest fatality rates among the eight-thousanders, with roughly one death for every four successful summits historically. It is also notable for being more technically difficult than Everest. The mountain has never been climbed by an established trade route, as no easy line exists.