K2

History and naming

The mountain was first surveyed by a European survey team in 1856 headed by Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen. T.G. Montgomery was a member of the team who designated it "K2" for the second peak of the Karakoram. The other peaks were originally named K1, K3, K4 and K5, but they were eventually renamed Masherbrum, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum II and Gasherbrum I respectively.

Related Topics:
Europe - 1856 - Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen - Masherbrum - Broad Peak - Gasherbrum II - Gasherbrum I

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K2 is considered a much tougher climb than Everest. As of June 2000, 189 people have made it -- compared with the almost 1,500 who have ascended Everest, although this may be because Everest is more of a target since it is the highest mountain in the world. 49 people have died attempting the climb; 13 died in 1986 alone. The first professional attempt to climb it was organized and undertaken in 1902 by Oscar Eckerstein and Aleister Crowley, but after five serious and costly attempts, no one reached the summit.

Related Topics:
Everest - As of June 2000 - 1986 - 1902 - Aleister Crowley

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An Italian expedition finally succeeded on July 31, 1954. The expedition was led by Ardito Desio; the two climbers who actually reached the top were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. The team included a Pakistani member, Col. Muhammad Ata-ullah. He had been a part of an earlier 1953 American expedition which failed to make the summit because of a storm; which killed a key climber, Art Gilkey.

Related Topics:
Italian - July 31 - 1954 - Ardito Desio - Lino Lacedelli - Achille Compagnoni

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The greatest loss of life occurred in the K2 Tragedy in 1986 when eight climbers from several expeditions died in a severe storm.

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Legend says that "K2 carries a curse" on women. The first woman to reach the summit was Wanda Rutkiewicz in 1986. The next five women to reach the summit are all dead—three of them died on the way down. Rutkiewicz herself died on a different climb in 1992.

Related Topics:
Wanda Rutkiewicz - 1986 - 1992

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