K2 is the second highest mountain in the world. It is in the Karakoram section of the Himalayas between Pakistan and China. The popular name K2 came from the name of the mountain range Karakoram. It means Karakoram 2. Although it is ranked 2nd in elevation, it places 22nd in prominence.
K2, summer 2006
Elevation 8,611 m (28,251 ft)
Ranked 2nd
Prominence 4,017 m (13,179 ft)
Ranked 22nd
Listing Eight-thousander
Country high point
Seven Second Summits
Ultra prominent peak
Location
Location Baltistan, Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan
Xinjiang, China
Range Karakoram
Coordinates 35°52′57″N 76°30′48″E / 35.88250°N 76.51333°E
Climbing
First ascent 31 July 1954
Achille Compagnoni
Lino Lacedelli
Easiest route Abruzzi Spur
K2 is 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) high. The mountain may be harder to climb than Mount Everest because of its very bad weather.[1] Climbers say that the weather around K2 is much worse than Mount Everest. K2 is also much higher than the area around it when compared to Everest. K2 is nicknamed "The Savage Mountain" because of how difficult the climb is. It has the second-highest fatality rate among the eight-thousand-feet mountains. As of 2011, only 300 people have climbed to the top of the mountain. At least 80 people have died trying to climb it.[1]
An unofficial name for K2 is Mount Godwin Austen, named for the man who first climbed it.