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Activity Level
Strenuous
Duration
55 Days
Suitable For
16 to 79 years old
Best Season
Mar-May | Sep-Nov
Region / Country
Pakistan
Group Size
2-216 Pax
Mount K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the extreme difficulty of ascent. It has the second-highest fatality rate among the eight-thousanders, with around 300 successful summits and 77 fatalities; about one person dies on the mountain for every four who reach the summit. It is more difficult and hazardous to reach the peak of K2 from the Chinese side, so it is usually climbed from the Pakistani side. K2 has never been climbed during winter, unlike Annapurna, the mountain with the highest fatality-to-summit rate (191 summits and 61 fatalities), or the other eight-thousanders. Ascents have almost always been made in July and August, the warmest times of the year; Mount K2's more northern location makes it more susceptible to inclement and colder weather.
K2 lies in the northwestern Karakoram Range. It is located in the Baltistan region of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China. The Tarim sedimentary basin borders the range on the north and the Lesser Himalayas on the south. Melt waters from vast glaciers, such as those south and east of K2, feed agriculture in the valleys and contribute significantly to the regional fresh-water supply.
The first serious attempt to climb K2 was undertaken in 1902 by Oscar Eckenstein, Aleister Crowley, Jules Jacot-Guillarmod, Heinrich Pfannl, Victor Wessely, and Guy Knowles via the Northeast Ridge.
The 1954 Italian Karakoram expedition finally succeeded in ascending to the summit of K2 via the Abruzzi Spur on 31 July 1954. The expedition was led by Ardito Desio, and the two climbers who reached the summit were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni.
The first woman to summit K2 was Polish climber Wanda Rutkiewicz on 23 June 1986. Liliane and Maurice Barrard who had summited later that day fell during the descent; Liliane Barrard's body was found on 19 July 1986 at the foot of the south face
In 2004, the Spanish climber Carlos Soria Fontán became the oldest person ever to summit K2, at the age of 65
The peak has now been climbed by almost all of its ridges. Although the summit of Everest is at a higher altitude, K2 is a much more difficult and dangerous climb, due in part to its more inclement weather and comparatively greater height from base to peak. The mountain is believed by many to be the world's most difficult and dangerous climb, hence its nickname "the Savage Mountain".
know before you travel
Helicopter Rescue
US$10000 security deposit at Askari aviation in Islamabad
Climbing permit fee
The fee is according to 2019 summer season if there is any change fee will revise accordingly.
Permission Time
Climbing permission required minimum 50days sometimes more, it is therefore requested a copy of passport and visa form duly filled by the members send to us well before time enable us to get the permission on time. Nepali Sherpa also considers a member of the expedition so same document of Nepali Sherpa will require for the permit.
Hotels
Envoy Continental or same standard in Islamabad total 3 nights
K2 motel Skardu total 3 nights
Panorama or Shangrilla Chilas total 2 nights any extra night in the hotel will be charge
Skardu to Islamabad flight ticket current price 130US$ per ticket one way.
Ticket price is subject to change as per airline rules
Splitting is not allowed all the members go and come back together if any member will return early he/she will pay hotel porter and transport directly.
Read real stories from travelers who explored mountains, rivers, trails, cultural routes, and once-in-a-lifetime journeys with Makalu Adventure.