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Revision as of 07:33, 9 November 2003 by RedWolf (talk | contribs) (added books section)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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" ("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 in one year (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