| Pakistan
is home to various high rise peaks, K-2 is the highest mountain
peak in Pakistan. With the height of 8,611 metres, K-2 towers
all other mountains in the country. This high rise mountain
in the Karakoram Range is referred to as Chogori in local
parlance. Chogori is a Balti word, which means 'king of mountains'.
The mountain is situated on the Pak-China
border and lies in the Karakoram Range of mountains. To scale
the mountain one can use the traditional and more reliable
route that passes through Skardu. Skardu is a small hilly
town in the north of Pakistan, which is well connected by
road and air link with Islamabad. You can take the Shigar-Dassu-Askole
route from Skardu to scale the K-2.
The expedition led by J. L. Eckenstein in
1902 was perhaps the first organised expedition to explore
the various routes to K-2 Mountain. Though the expedition
did not scale the K-2, it gathered some useful data that helped
mountaineers in later years. Two members of the expedition
were successfully reached to a height of 6,523 metres.
In the later years K-2 witnessed many ascents
and today the peak has been climbed from all the sides. But
the adventure lovers every now and then try to take a new
and different route to conqueror the mountain.
Concise History of K2
1856 For
the first time in 1856, Captain Montgomery conducted the first
ever survey of Karakorams and named the peak K-2 locally known
as "Chogo Ri". He also determined its height. In
1861 Captain Godwin Austen explored and mapped the great glacier
region comprising the Chogo-Lungma, Kero-Lungma, Biafo, Panmah
and Baltoro. He was the first to traverse most of these glaciers
to discover the approaches to K-2 and to sketch it topography.
He named K-2 as Mount Godwin Austen.
1902 In
1902, first attempt to climb K-2 was made by a six men group
of European climbers led by an English man Eckenstein. They
could climb up to 6600 M.
1909
In 1909, the Duke of Abruzzi (Italy) led a large expedition
to Karakorams. Their attempt to climb K-2 failed at a height
of 7500 M.
1929
In 1929, Duke of Abruzzi's nephew the Duke of Spoleto (Italy)
led an expedition but abandoned climbing K-2 and concentrated
on scientific work.
1938
In 1938, an American expedition for K-2 organized by American
Alpine Club and led by Charles Houston could reach a point
7925 M on July 21.
1939
In 1939, again an American expedition for K-2 led by a German-American
climber Fritz Wiessner made an attempt and could reach a point
8380 M. The end result was a failure.
1953
In 1953, an American expedition for K-2 which included Housten
and Bates from 1938 expedition could climb up to 7750 M. expedition
ended unsuccessful.
1954
In 1954, Italians again returned after vigorous training and
adequate planning under the leadership of Desio. On 29 July
two members out of four reached the summit for the first time.
The ascenders were Lino Lacedelli and Aehille Compagnoni.
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Facts
|
 |
Names : Mount Godwin-Austen,
Chogo Ri |
 |
Elevation (feet) : 28,250 |
 |
Elevation (meters) : 8,611 |
 |
Best Climbing Months : May, June
& July |
 |
First Climber(s) : Achille Compagnoni,
Lino Lacedelli |
 |
Year First Climbed : 1954 |
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