The team of Nepalese climbers which made history by becoming the first to summit K2 in winter. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan
GILGIT: Ten Nepalese climbers on Saturday set a record by scaling Pakistan’s K2 (8,611m), the world’s second highest mountain and the only one among the 8,000m peaks that had never been climbed before in winter.
The same day, however, a Spanish climber lost his life after falling into a crevasse at camp 1.
Over 60 international climbers from 18 countries had arrived at the K2 base camp and started their adventure in early January to try and scale what is also known as the Savage Mountain or the King of North, as winds there can blow at more than 200km an hour and temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius in winter.
Historic K2 team make it back safely to base camp in G-B
All 10 Nepali climbers are in good health and relaxing, says G-B govt spokesperson Faizullah Firaq
AFP
January 17, 2021
This handout photo taken on January 16, 2021 by Seven Summit Treks shows the historic team of 10 Nepali mountaineers and Sherpas after reaching the summit of K2. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The triumphant team of Nepali climbers who made history when they became the first to summit Pakistan s K2 in winter arrived safely back at base camp on Sunday, officials said.
The 10 climbers reached the top of the world’s second-highest mountain on Saturday, the last peak above 8,000 metres (26,000 feet) to be conquered in wintertime.
The Nepali Sherpas have reached the highest point any climber has on K2 during winters. The Seven Summits’ team plans to reach the top on Saturday.
ISLAMABAD: Four Nepali Sherpas on Friday broke the previous record during winters of climbing as high as 26,000 feet while attempting to scale K2.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the maximum height achieved by teams in winters in the past was 25,320 feet.
“Tomorrow, Nirmal Purja, Mingma David, Mingma Tenzi and Mingma Gyalje will leave Camp 4 and try for a summit push if the weather remains good,” ACP Secretary Karrar Haidri said, adding their fifth climbing partner Sona Sherpa turned back.
Nepali team in 1st winter summit of K2, Spanish climber dies on mountain 1 minute read
Islamabad, Jan 16 (efe-epa).- A team of 10 Nepalese sherpas on Saturday made history with the first winter summit of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.
The milestone was marred by news of the death, in a separate exhibition on K2, of Spanish climber Sergi Mingote.
The Himalayan peak, on the border of China and Pakistan, was the last of the world’s 14 highest mountains, all over 8,000 metres, never to be scaled in winter.
“We did it, believe me we did it. Journey to the summit never done before,” Seven Summits Treks said on Twitter.