What is the 2nd highest peak in the world?

K2: The Second-Highest Peak in the World

K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, is the second tallest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level. It is located in the Karakoram Range, on the border between Pakistan and China.

K2 is a formidable and dangerous mountain to climb, and has a death zone above 8,000 meters, where the air is so thin that climbers need to use supplemental oxygen. The mountain has been climbed over 400 times, but over 80 people have died attempting to summit it, giving it a fatality rate of over 20%.

K2 is also known for its stunning beauty, and is often called the “Savage Mountain” due to its steep and rugged slopes. The mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, including snow leopards, wolves, and ibex.

Climbing K2

K2 is one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb, and is considered one of the “eight-thousanders”, which are the 14 mountains in the world that are over 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level.

The first attempt to climb K2 was made in 1902, but it was not until 1954 that the mountain was successfully summited by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio.

Since then, over 400 people have climbed K2, but over 80 have died attempting to summit it. The mountain has a fatality rate of over 20%, which is higher than any other eight-thousander.

The Future of K2

K2 is a popular destination for climbers, but the mountain is also facing a number of challenges. Climate change is causing the glaciers on K2 to melt, which is making the mountain more dangerous to climb. The mountain is also becoming more crowded, which is leading to environmental concerns.

Despite these challenges, K2 remains one of the most popular and challenging mountains in the world to climb. It is a symbol of beauty, danger, and human endurance.