What makes K2 the most difficult mountain to climb?

An anatomy of the reasons which render K2 as the most difficult mountain to climb.
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[@qa7103]

Another point to mention is that K2 is the western most mountain among the 8 thousanders which makes it the first mountain to bear the brunt of the weather systems moving eastward

[@PetraKann]

K2 being the first 8000m peak to encounter weather patterns moving across from the West can also be a blessing. The mountain itself can create even worse weather conditions further east on other high altitude mountains. K2 can also act as a localised weather “mixing zone” that can propel even more ferocious storms eastwards. Personally I am more concerned with warm air and severe tropical weather systems emerging from the Indian oceans and suddenly changing direction and intensity (The bay of Bengal is a good example of an area where storms can move through and intensify. The 1996 Everest tragedy was triggered by a storm that quickly intensified and moved through the Bay of Bengal)

[@sylpascale7673]

I think Nanga Parbat is a little further west than K2, G1 G2 Broad Peak complex.

[@mjleger4555]

I've always heard that K-2 is the most difficult mountain due to the technicalities, including falling rock, avalanches, broken seracs falling down, crevasses and unpredictable weather moving in, but this video really explained the many aspects of WHY! Thank you very much for the explicit details!

[@cesarpenailillo6627]

Im not a climber at all. Just follower of a great athlete that lost his life trying to do what he loved, and a passion for it (JP.Morh). Good video. Greetings from a chilean living in California!.

[@FarhanKhan-tp5hh]

The video contains limited information confined to the most taken but also the most commercially viable route for expedition companies - the Abruzzi Spur. The South Face route (Central Rib or the Polish Line) is by far the most dangerous and demanding with persistent exposure to snow cliffs and its vulnerability to avalanches. It meets the Abruzzi route, approx. 1000 feet before the summit. In 1986, for the first and only time, it was successfully climbed by legendary alpinist Jerzy Kukucka and Tadeusz Piotrowski (the latter died on descent on Abruzzi). As said before, South Face has never been attempted again. The West Face route is also a technically challenging mostly comprised of rock crevasses, a rock wall, and snow-capped couloirs. Like the Central Rib or the Polish Line, it’s exceptionally demanding and successfully ascended only once in 2007 by Pavel Shabalin and Iljas Tukhvatullin of the Russian Expedition, which established 7 camps on their way to the top. Abruzzi route, despite its technical sections and difficulties (House’s Chimney, Black Pyramid, the Traverse and Bottleneck) is the safest route on K2.

[@Mudpuppyjunior]

That's the thing about K2. The "easiest" route on it is almost as hard as or even harder than the most difficult routes on Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga or Nanga Parbat, for example.

[@TheOneSpurs]

I feel climbing k2 is probably the hardest thing to do on earth. Frighteningly difficult mentally, physically and spiritually. Great video. You should give a history lesson on all the famous climbing expeditions of k2 .. successful and unsuccessful..

[@pleasuretokill]

If we are talking mentally, I would take a stab at K2 before doing what Alex Honnold did and attempt to climb El Capitan Free Solo. I think that is the height of human "omg that is scary" achievement. Only one person has ever done it, only one person has ever attempted it and I highly doubt there will be a second successful attempt. Pretty sure the next guy to try that is gonna die.... unless it's Alex again....

[@TheOneSpurs]

@@pleasuretokill I appreciate that example. Alex free solo climbing is an utter madness too. Although i think less free solo people than mountaineers so ofcourse less likely people would attempt. What makes K2 insane is the steepness, death zone 8k+, avalanche risk and nearly 1 in 4 die on decent.. Easy to have a stab at K2 .. being serious about conquering it and returning home alone a different risk .. Regardless both activities don't get the respect they deserve on the pinnacle of human challenges on earth ..

[@highertest]

Tbh the titel is kinda clickbait. K2 is a giant achievement and very difficult but its far from the hardest thing ppl have done in the mountains. Like the crazy routes ppl have attempted is insane and the technical expertise needed for those routes is way higher than K2(cool video is Annapurna III, they didnt manage it though).

[@TheRustedShackleford]

@@pleasuretokill they're not always using ropes on these mountains either. Different sports, equal levels of insanity

[@jaimestewart1975]

These videos are great! Keep them coming.

[@patrickhaller669]

Amazing video, very well presented and illustrated. Great work!!!

[@karriegregson.alpenboxx8998]

Very well documented .. this Mountain fascinates me

[@owen7185]

I really like your videos, no BS talking just fact and clear explanation

[@angelabordack]

I’m mesmerized by mountaineering. Thank you for your videos.

[@donaldknowles9640]

Great video about the greatest mountain in the world

[@philipford6183]

It's a fascinating subject. K2 is to me (not a climber or mountaineer) absolutely terrifying. A 1-in-4 chance of death attempting to summit is very scary. Thanks for the video. You should do more of this. I'd like to know more about the challenges of Annapurna.

[@angelabordack]

Yes!!! Annapurna III

[@Mudpuppyjunior]

A small point, but the death ratio on all these mountains is numbers of total deaths to number of total summiting climbers. That is not the same as saying ~21% of the people who climb K2 die. The large majority try, don't summit and descend safely.

[@angelabordack]

@@Mudpuppyjunior I understand that, darling. A lot of deaths happen on the descent of the mountain. Either way, I’m deathly afraid of heights, I can’t even ride an escalator. I will enjoy videos in the comfort of my home. I wish I could climb a peak but I’m not going to put a Sherpa’s life at risk for my stupidity.

[@sadiarazaque4759]

Fascinating information. 👍

[@vanpeltcollamer6079]

Videos are great quality, knowledge of k2 is definitely there, appreciate you sharing this information super insightful

[@ajayprabhakar64]

Very interesting and gave rare information about K2

[@andrewcampbell3321]

Quality video ,good information

[@nassermj7671]

Mashallah Bhai. Little did I know we have an expert in our own backyard - Pakistan. But then again, K2 happens to be in our own backyard. Love from Texas.

[@philcarter2362]

A brilliant analysis. Thank you.

[@patmat.]

Great summary description, thank you.

[@thomasbrown7980]

Thank you for a clear and interesting explanation.

[@nicholasevennett8231]

Finally a great description of what is involved in each step. I've been looking for something like this for years. Thank you.

[@thetypetwolife3602]

Really really good content!

[@leelauder4411]

Very concise detailed information buddy!! Scary mountain!!Peace!

[@mirabdullah5450]

great work keep it up sir

[@WienGolf]

Thank you for this clear information. Since my childhood, when there was the second reach of the summit in history, I‘ve always been impressed by this mountain. It was so special to me, this starts with its name. No mountain has a name like this! And the different stories and fates behind this mountain, even the rumors and fakes! It can show you everything about human triumphs, thinking, doing and failing. Although I’m quite sure, I never will see K2 in reality, I’ve seen many documentary films about it, of course „The Summit“, too. You brought so many interesting new facts in your Channel, I really enjoyed each of your videos about „my“ K2. Thanks a lot for it.

[@unseennature765]

you are doing great videos and analysis keep doing it on different topics

[@ericdudley4169]

Thank you! Very informative and appreciated!

[@moritz2464]

Great admiration for the climbers that make climbing K2 even more difficult…by using the Magic Line route. Real legends

[@sandraengstrand2784]

Greetings from Nashville! Your reporting on the 2008 K2 climbers has been fascinating! Thank you for your thorough reporting! 🪨🏔

[@PakistanexplorerTM]

Honoured 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@roddy4944]

Thanks you, excellent information. I would be interested in learning more about the route from the north. I gather it is seldom attempted due to the long approach.

[@gregkosinski2303]

Great video! Incredible presentation! I would love to see you do one on why Annapurna is so dangerous as well.

[@terryjohnson666]

Excellent video, Sir. Great information presented clearly and concisely. Thx!

[@uzifaizy]

Great! People need to know this information. If anyone ask me now why I think K2 is so challenging ill just show them this video

[@HamidMahmood123]

Sir, currently Nagapurbat is the most dangerous mountain in the world. K2 2nd and Annapurna 3rd as per deatb ratios

[@philcliffe6909]

You also need to consider that you won't find many, if any of the casual climbers associated with Everest tackling K2 which makes the statistics even greater. Great video I learn't something today.

[@print-master]

thank you

[@gulsazam7583]

Thank for sharing one more video on K2, Sir, is there any update, confirmation about the successful of this winter expedition's (Ali Sadpara, John Snorri and Pablo Mohr) that they have successfully submit the K2 and the accident were occurred while they were descending from top.

[@PakistanexplorerTM]

There is no confirmation of a summit success

[@101kmontgomery]

Great video! I'm ready to summit K2 and now I just need the money.

[@Dragonfly657]

The Abruzzi route. The bottleneck surek getting to the top is very challenging. It has a huge glacier above it and is dangerous.

[@maraiste8596]

Great video thank you ! Do you know if climbers have to climb the House Chimney up and down multiple times during the acclimatization rotation between camps ?

[@PakistanexplorerTM]

Mountaineers world over follow a simple maxim: "climb high, sleep low". K2 requires a minimum of three rotations up to Camp-3 before the summit push.

[@10goldfinger]

just a detail: Bill House was NOT part of Fritz Wiesners expedition (which was a year later in 1939), but of the Charles Houston expedition in 1938.

[@czarcastic1458]

I have climbed my house chimney many times.

[@darcydejoux3614]

Very interesting to me ,I m not a climber.

[@2001pioneer]

Very interesting video, thanks.. What accounts for the higher death rate on Annapurna 1 when it's less technically challenging?

[@PakistanexplorerTM]

the commonly taken route to climb Annapurna is prone to serious avalanche danger

[@PetraKann]

Navigating Extensive 60 to 70 degree inclines under conditions of high altitude, low oxygen and extremely low temperatures takes elite physical strength and preparation as well as enormous mental strength. I am Not surprised at both the low number of successful summits of K2 and the high fatality rate - second only to Annapurna.

[@Quant-Beat]

So any helicopter will be sent just in case of a rescuing to come near the foot of K2?

[@lluhu]

Did you do the tribute?

[@Arvindchauhan-qv6gd]

Another aspect which needs to be factored in is that the facilities and infrastructure as it is available in Nepal n India, Pakistan lacks the same big time. Hence if the facilities n evacuation skills improve then it won’t be difficult as is the case with other mountains

[@mwg911hk]

I think I'd be tired by the trek just to get to the mountain!

[@stelioskaramitziotis2170]

Just an update: Annapurna's ratio isn't 33% anymore, I believe this year 60+ climbers reached the summit and there were no casualties.

[@PakistanexplorerTM]

Yes the ratio keeps fluctuating. K2 wouldn't have been 21% if there weren't six deaths on the mountain this year

[@stelioskaramitziotis2170]

@@PakistanexplorerTM I do believe these two are the most dangerous 8000s. Sometimes, luck, the stars, the planets (chose whatever you want), help climbers to have a flawless/almost flawless route up to the top. The end of this year found more than 60 climbers at the top of Annapurna and more than 40 at the top of K2. With only one casualty!!! Unbelievable!!! It will be very difficult to happen again!

[@scottsmith4145]

@@stelioskaramitziotis2170 He said there were six deaths on K2 this year. Thats a 15% death to summit percentage. Below the avg but not spectacular. V

[@stelioskaramitziotis2170]

@@scottsmith4145 5 of them occurred during winter and 1 during summer. You won't get such great (in results) summer expeditions often, when you are dealing with K2, Annapurna etc.

[@lookaroundyou8108]

Am here after watching the movie K2 1991

[@raze4555]

i literally looked up "how hard is climbing k2" and this came up

[@vasealis]

Old ropes! This is Russian roulette.

[@Booosting]

K2 is remote because there is no road infrastructure made by Pakistan. Fawad Ch. & Imran Kh are in talks with CPEC to build a underground climate control tunnel all the way to the bottom center of K2 and then drill and install an elevator shaft (heated) all the way to the summit

[@tracycameron5099]

omg!

[@thefivews4720]

A part of me is concerned that k2 will become like Everest. A lot off people that should be there pay to be there

[@pelerinonline2191]

Min 7- 30 .Maybe this is a stupid question ... but has anyone tried to climb the rocks on the left of the red line. it seems there could be a route there. At least there is no overhanging serac.Did anyone tried that route?

[@PakistanexplorerTM]

Your question actually sheds light on the formidable 'Weisner Variant' attempted only once in 1939 American Expedition to K2 and It’s named for the famed German climber Fritz Weisner who emigrated to the US in 1929. This was the second American expedition to K2 followed by the first one the previous year. It was fraught with issues and ended up with only Weisner and Pasang Dawa Lama attempting the summit and turned back just a few hundred feet. During the climb they actually setup nine high camps.

[@pelerinonline2191]

@@PakistanexplorerTM Thanks

[@giannidigianni4173]

Are those 3 climbers who went lost last winter still there ?

[@elleseraphina6521]

Yes. 2 of them are burried under snow. The other one couldn't be retrieved.

[@giannidigianni4173]

Ali was very strong but ,in this case very unlucky, he could have reached that damned summit and go down safely ,if he had been luckier

[@starvation2907]

@@giannidigianni4173 Pakistan Explorer in one of his previous video mentioned there was no camp 4 set up, so they would have to descent all the way to camp 3 which seems quite far away from the zone just below the Bottleneck where they were found, all of this in the middle of the night and probably extreme winter weather conditions in the death zone.

[@cokemachine5510]

the ice in the Himalayas is only 15 thousand ish years old.

[@josemoreno1893]

Following the logic K2 has the hardest normal route but which one has the hardest non normal route also K2? The Rupal face?

[@Umer.k]

Abruzzi not the hardest but the only safe route on k2. K2 West route is the hardest route on any 8000m mountain nobody tried it

[@22leggedsasquatch]

The 100 who summited in 2022 is such an aberration in the statistics, that it is fsir comment to say, that it needs to be discarded when Calculating the death rate, as it masks the true danger of the K2 over time. In contrast to Evere, only highly skilled climbers attempt K2, and still ⅓ don't make it. If the thousands of 'tourist climbers' (Disney World Candy Mountain visitors) were to attempt K2, the vast, vast majority would never make it up, let alone summit and virtually none wild return. I think, in my opinion that sums up things. Additionally, those going to Everest, if they were to take a noncommercial route, they probably wouldn't make that either.

[@ankitacharya975]

haven't seen k2 in real life only in picture it must be frightening to look at.i have been to lhotse base camp and for me personally there is no other mountain more frightening then lhotse.you're like a ant trying to climb a huge wall

[@nassermj7671]

Net, net gain of these undaunted warriors = ego. I'll stay with the scary rides. Losing 11 at a time ain't my style of recreation.

[@ambhat19]

How much it costs to climb the K2?

[@zayedharoon3910]

Bhai q khudkushi kerni hy

[@copypaste6843]

Not money! Just 1 life out of 4.

[@ambhat19]

@@copypaste6843 At least the other 3 will survive. I live in 🏔️ and will be buried in 🗻.

[@copypaste6843]

@@ambhat19 What do you mean by "at least other would survive" i mean one out of four dies for nothing and u dont care about it? Why are they giving their lives for a mean thing, it is suicide. What if there are 4 pills and one of them can kill you, would yoy try to take one of them?

[@ambhat19]

@@copypaste6843 By your logic, taking a flight is a suicide!

[@prashantdubey9430]

who are you ?

[@michaelhusar3668]

Play Russian Roulette, you will only die 1/6 times. it's safer to play Russian Roulette than to climb K2.

[@TheDazzler420]

It is not the most difficult to climb, annapurna is and dhaulagiri 2 exposed face is by far the toughest to ever been climbed.

[@bigfoot2328]

If you take away the four or five summit days with large commercial expeditions that count for a great number of summits, the death ratio on K2 is much higher. The hard reality is that If climbers can continue to pay guides on K2 that carry oxygen for clients and fix ropes through the bottleneck and onto the summit, these tragedies will continue. There should be no fixed ropes above camp 4 . And no commercial expeditions either.

[@uthmanibn-jafar1159]

*"If you take away the four or five summit days with large commercial expeditions that count for a great number of summits, the death ratio on K2 is much higher."* LOL you don't say? That's like saying the murder rate of a particular city would be much lower if you didn't include the two months of the year with the highest number of murders. Like no shit dude.

[@bigfoot2328]

Missed the point uthman. There should never be days up there with paying clients. When something goes wrong, many die. K2 takes them in bunches.

[@COCOGROCOSHOW]

Everest ,K2 or Annapurna are NOT dangerous to me at all !!!! I don't go to those fucken places !!! I prefer palm trees ,cold beer and girls in bikini on some tropical beach. Sorry guys but places with minus 40 ,hundred KM on hour winds , lack of oxygen, frost bites on fingers and toes don't make me happy.

[@josteinbergseth8374]

lol:D

[@anmoooooll_]

Few climbers were killed by terrorists as well..!!

[@robertgil1000]

This guy can not pronounce " climbers" properly B is silent 🔕,,,,