K2 - The Second Highest Mountain in the World
K2 is the second highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest. It is the highest point in Pakistan with a peak elevation of 8,611 meters (28,251 feet). K2 lies in the northwestern Karakoram Range on the border between the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of China.
The name K2 is derived from the notation used by the Great Trigonometric Survey. British surveyor Thomas Montgomerie made the first survey of the Karakoram from Mount Haramukh in 1852. He sketched the two most prominent peaks, labeling them K1 and K2. The policy of the survey was to use local names for mountains wherever possible and K1 was found to be known locally as Masherbrum. However, he found that K2 did not have a known name.
It stands over 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) above much of the glacial valley bottoms at its base. The mountain is notable for its total height that makes it the world's second highest mountain. It is also remarkable because of the fact that it is a consistently steep pyramid, dropping quickly in almost all directions. The north side is the steepest side of K2 where it rises over 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) above the K2 Glacier in only 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) of horizontal distance. The mountain also achieves over 2,800 meters (9,200 ft) of vertical relief in less than 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) of horizontal distance in most directions.
Even though K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, it ranked only 22nd as the world's most prominent mountains. It has less independent stature compared to many other peaks which are far lower than K2. This is because it is part of the same extended area of uplift as Mount Everest.
K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the difficulty of ascent. It has the second-highest fatality rate (27%) among the mountains those are 8000 meters or above. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. It is more hazardous to reach K2 from the Chinese side; thus, it is mostly climbed from the Pakistani side.
The name K2 is derived from the notation used by the Great Trigonometric Survey. British surveyor Thomas Montgomerie made the first survey of the Karakoram from Mount Haramukh in 1852. He sketched the two most prominent peaks, labeling them K1 and K2. The policy of the survey was to use local names for mountains wherever possible and K1 was found to be known locally as Masherbrum. However, he found that K2 did not have a known name.
It stands over 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) above much of the glacial valley bottoms at its base. The mountain is notable for its total height that makes it the world's second highest mountain. It is also remarkable because of the fact that it is a consistently steep pyramid, dropping quickly in almost all directions. The north side is the steepest side of K2 where it rises over 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) above the K2 Glacier in only 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) of horizontal distance. The mountain also achieves over 2,800 meters (9,200 ft) of vertical relief in less than 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) of horizontal distance in most directions.
Even though K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, it ranked only 22nd as the world's most prominent mountains. It has less independent stature compared to many other peaks which are far lower than K2. This is because it is part of the same extended area of uplift as Mount Everest.
K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the difficulty of ascent. It has the second-highest fatality rate (27%) among the mountains those are 8000 meters or above. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. It is more hazardous to reach K2 from the Chinese side; thus, it is mostly climbed from the Pakistani side.
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1 Responses to “K2 - The Second Highest Mountain in the World”
September 25, 2014 at 4:15 PM
I never used to visit the K2 but heard a lot about this mountain in Pakistan. I wish to visit this once in my life. You have provided great details about this lovely mountain. While reading through this blog post, my feeling was as I was present there and visiting K2 myself. Apex Planet team! My friend has a plan to enjoy the amazing garden stampede at The Great Smoky National park with his family. He is looking some guideline about how to enjoy during Smoky National park tour and what one needs to do to make his tour memorable? Can you help him?
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