Nepalese climb K2 in winter, a historic first

A team of Nepalese climbers made the first winter ascent of K2 on Saturday, the second highest peak on the planet (8,611 m) and the only “8,000” that had never been climbed in winter, announced the Nepalese company. Seven Summit Treks.

"We did it!

The wild mountain of Karakoram has been climbed during the most dangerous of seasons: in winter.

Nepalese climbers finally reached the top of K2 this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. local time, ”the company, which had a climber on the team, said on its Twitter account.

16 Jan 2021

WE DID IT, BELIVE ME WE DID IT- JOURNEY TO THE SUMMIT NEVER DONE BEFORE

The Karakorum's 'Savage Mountain' been summited in most dangerous season: WINTER

Nepalese Climbers finally reached the summit of Mt. K2 (Chhogori 8611m), this afternoon at 17:00 local time.

pic.twitter.com/O530X3WgKh

- Seven Summit Treks (@ sst8848) January 16, 2021

The ten Nepalese had planned to gather just below the summit of K2, located in the Karakoram massif and renowned as one of the most dangerous mountains in the world, to climb the last few meters together and plant their country's flag there.

Known for decades for their aptitude for the high mountains, the Nepalese had never before placed the slightest climber on a first winter ascent to a summit of more than 8,000 m, a specialty long remained the preserve of the Poles.

The K2 nicknamed the Wild Mountain

A handful of expeditions had previously attempted the winter climb, since the first attempt in 1987-1988.

But no one had climbed above 7,650 m yet.

All of them had broken down in the extreme conditions of K2, nicknamed the “wild mountain”.

Winds at 200 km / h and temperatures at -60 ° C

The K2 is subjected in winter to a very violent wind which can reach 200 km / h.

Temperatures can drop to -60 ° on the summit parts.

Due to its geographical location - it is the most northerly of all the “8,000” - atmospheric pressure is also lower and air more scarce.

Winter is harsher in the Karakoram than in the Himalayas.

This explains why most of the Nepalese peaks of more than 8,000 m were overcome in winter as early as the 1980s, while the other four located in Pakistan - besides K2 - were overcome in the 2010s.

This year, no less than four different teams and around sixty climbers were present on K2, more in total than all the previous expeditions put together.

Members of three of the four initial teams, the Nepalese regrouped to set the fixed ropes on Friday to Camp 4, at an altitude of 7,800 m.

Then, they chose to be daring by taking advantage of a window of good weather, without wind, to launch their assault on the summit on Saturday.

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