K-2 (Godwin Austen)

K-2 (Godwin Austen)

  

Elevation: 28,253 feet (8,612 meters)
Prominence: 13,179 feet (4,017 meters)
Location: Pakistan/China, Asia
Coordinates: 35°52′57″ N 76°30′48″ E

K2 was firstly discovered and measured by the Survey of India in 1856, and first named for English topographer Henry Godwin - Austen, who explored and surveyed the region. The earth's second highest mountain, after Mount Everest, is K2, also known as Mount Godwin Austen and as Dapsang. Word "K2" is taken from the first letter of Karakorum, and the number indicates that it was the second peak in the range to be measured. It was also named Godwin Austen for the peak's first surveyor.

K2 peak, locally known by the name of “Chogo Ri”, which means "The Great Mountain", 8,611m, is the 2nd highest mountain in the world. K2 is placed on the Pakistan - China border in the mighty Karakoram Range.

With no simple routes, K2 is known as the finest and most dangerous mountain in the world. This is because of the massiveness in the size of this mountain and the numerous unsuccessful attempts made on it by various expeditions, which include mostly American expeditions

K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the difficulty of ascent and the 2nd highest fatality rate among the "eight thousanders" for those who climb it. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. Unlike Annapurna, the mountain with the highest fatality rate, K2 has never been climbed in winter.