K2

K2 (also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, Chogori, Chomo-Lungma or Dapsang) is a mountain at 35° 53' N, 76° 31' E in the Karakoram, part of the Himalayas range. It is 8611 metres (28,273 ft) high, making it the second highest in the world.

It is considered a much tougher climb than Mount Everest. 189 people have made it (as of June 2000), compared to almost 1500 who have ascended Everest. 49 people have died, 13 in one year (1986). The first professional attempt to climb it was in 1902 but despite five serious and costly attempts the summit was not reached until a Italian expedition of 1954 reached the summit on July 29. The expedition was led by Ardito Desio[?] and Mario Puchoz[?], and the two climbers who actually reached the top were Lino Lacedelli[?] and Achille Compagnoni[?].

The mountain was first surveyed by a European in 1857. The survey team, headed by Henry Godwin-Austen[?], designated it "K2" ("Karakoram 2"), a name that for some reason has stuck.