| Revision as of 03:31, 20 November 2003 view sourceDocu (talk | contribs)97,802 editsm link 1 E3 m← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:37, 20 November 2003 view source Docu (talk | contribs)97,802 editsm link on measurement in 1996Next edit → | ||
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| *''K2: Quest of the Gods'' by Ralph Ellis, ISBN 0932813992 | *''K2: Quest of the Gods'' by Ralph Ellis, ISBN 0932813992 | ||
| *''The Last Step: The American Ascent of K2'' by Rick Ridgeway, ISBN 0898866324 | *''The Last Step: The American Ascent of K2'' by Rick Ridgeway, ISBN 0898866324 | ||
| ==External link== | |||
| -- Measurements in 1996: 8614.27 ± 0.6m ] | |||
Revision as of 03:37, 20 November 2003
K2 (also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, Chogori or Dapsang) is a mountain at 35° 53' N, 76° 31' E in the Karakoram, part of the Himalayas range. It is 8,611 metres (28,273 ft) high, making it the second highest in the world.
The mountain was first surveyed by a European in 1856. T.G. Montgomery, in the survey team headed by Henry Godwin-Austen, designated it "K2" (for "Karakoram 2").
K2 is considered a much tougher climb than Mount Everest. As of June 2000, 189 people have made it, compared to almost 1500 who have ascended Everest. 49 people have died, 13 of these in 1986. The first professional attempt to climb it was in 1902 but despite five serious and costly attempts, the summit was not reached until a Italian expedition of 1954 reached the summit on July 29. The expedition was led by Ardito Desio and Mario Puchoz, and the two climbers who actually reached the top were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni.
Per Jerberyd provides a climbing history of K2 from the first attempt in 1902 until the Italian success in 1954.
See also: List of mountains, eight-thousanders
Books about K2
- K2: Triumph and Tragedy by Jim Curran, ISBN 0395485908
- K2: The Story of the Savage Mountain by Jim Curran, ISBN 0898866839
- K2: The Savage Mountain by Charles Houston, ISBN 1885283016
- K2: Quest of the Gods by Ralph Ellis, ISBN 0932813992
- The Last Step: The American Ascent of K2 by Rick Ridgeway, ISBN 0898866324
External link
How high is K2 really ? -- Measurements in 1996: 8614.27 ± 0.6m a.s.l