K2
K2 (also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, Chogori or Dapsang) is a mountain at 35° 53' N, 76° 31' E in the Karakoram, part of the Himalayas range. It is 8,611 metres (28,273 ft) high, making it the second highest in the world.The mountain was first surveyed by a European in 1856. T.G. Montgomery, in the survey team headed by Henry Godwin-Austen, designated it "K2" (for "Karakoram 2").
K2 is considered a much tougher climb than Mount Everest. As of June 2000, 189 people have made it, compared to almost 1500 who have ascended Everest. 49 people have died, 13 of these in 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.
