K2

7 Stories

It's More Dangerous Than Everest—and Getting Congested

'Conga line' of climbers seen near K2 summit

(Newser) - The world's second-highest mountain is a more difficult and dangerous climb than Mount Everest, but this year's climbing season has seen an unprecedented number of people attempt to conquer K2. Before July 21, only 302 people had ever reached the summit. That number jumped by more than 140...

No One Has Climbed K2 in Winter. This Year, 55 Will Try

Push is on to claim 'one of mountaineering's last great prizes'

(Newser) - About 1 in 4 people who climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, die in the process. That's compared to about 4% of those who climb Mount Everest, which is 800 feet taller but less of a challenge for mountaineers. And the 28,251-foot-tall K2 is the only one...

Climber Attempts 'Suicidal' K2 Ascent, Quickly Changes Mind

Denis Urubko abandoned team after argument, is forced back to base camp

(Newser) - A climber who abandoned a Polish team following a dispute with fellow mountaineers to attempt a solo ascent of K2, the world's second-highest peak, returned to base camp on Monday because of bad weather, reports the AP . The news dispelled concerns expressed by the other climbers after Denis Urubko...

33 Sickened in NYC Mass Overdose
33 Sickened in
NYC Mass Overdose
Jul 13, 2016 12:38 AM CDT

33 Sickened in NYC Mass Overdose

Authorities issue fresh warning on synthetic pot

(Newser) - More than two dozen people were sickened in an apparent mass drug overdose on a New York City street corner, sparking warnings from police and health officials about the dangers of using K2, also known as synthetic marijuana. Calls started coming in Tuesday morning that numerous people appeared to be...

Survivors Tell of K2 Disaster
 Survivors Tell of K2 Disaster 
Aug 28, 2008 2:36 PM CDT

Survivors Tell of K2 Disaster

Worst mountaineering tragedy since 1986

(Newser) - After braving a challenge that trumps Everest—one that claimed the lives of 11 fellow mountaineers—the survivors of this month's K2 disaster tell Andrew Buncombe of the Independent about their harrowing descent. Battling frostbite, Italian guide Marco Confortola watched helplessly as his friends died, while Dutch climber Wilco van...

Atop Deadly K2, Climbers Hit Perfect Storm of Tragedy

11 deaths make worst climbing incident since 1986

(Newser) - This weekend’s disaster on K2, in which 11 climbers lost their lives on the world’s second-highest peak, was one of the climbing’s greatest tragedies. Though “the weather was perfect” when climbers set off Friday, the New York Times takes a look at how the treacherous slopes,...

10 Climbers Dead, 3 Missing After K2 Avalanche

Avalanche strands climbers of world's second-highest mountain

(Newser) - At least 10 climbers were killed and three were missing after an avalanche on the world’s second-highest mountain in the Himalayas this weekend, Reuters reports. Teams of climbers reached K2’s peak, but at least two died on the way. An avalanche later killed five more and knocked out...

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