Nepali climbers, led by Nirmal Purja, triumphantly conquer K2 on January 16, 2021, marking the ascent of the final one of the world's 14 highest mountains during winter conditions.
In a remarkable feat of mountaineering, a team of ten Nepali climbers have successfully scaled K2, the world's second-highest mountain, in winter conditions. This marks a historic first, making the Nepali team the first to conquer K2 in winter.
Located in Pakistan's part of the Karakoram range, K2 is notoriously known as the most difficult and dangerous mountain to climb due to the technical climbing required. The ascent to its summit involves enduring temperatures in excess of -58 degrees Fahrenheit and gale-force winds while ascending the Abruzzi Spur on the mountain's southern flank.
The descent from K2 is equally perilous, as it involves rappelling several miles of fixed rope to reach safety on the glacier at the foot of the mountain. Unfortunately, reports are circulating of the death of a Catalan-Spanish climber, Sergi Mingote, who is reported to have died in a fall while descending from Camp 1.
The Nepali team, led by Nirmal "Nims" Purja and Mingma G Sherpa, had faced challenges even before their successful ascent. Last week, several tents and a cache of equipment were blown off the mountain, forcing the team to resupply their camp.
The climbers reached the summit on January 16th, a moment that was celebrated with the Nepali national anthem. Nirmal Purja shared the news on Instagram at approximately 5:40 p.m. local time in Pakistan. The team is currently resting at Camp 3, located at an elevation of 7,200 meters (23,622 feet).
The Nepali climbers are relying on sponsorships, social media, and GoFundMe pages to finance their efforts. The images for this news are by Nick Ryan and Stephen O'Reilly, and the sources for this news are Marek Miel and Krzysztof Wielicki.
With this achievement, K2 becomes the last of the world's 14 tallest mountains to be climbed in winter. The Nepali team's success serves as an inspiring testament to human resilience and determination in the face of extreme challenges.
