K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world, some meters shorter than mount Everest.
But K2 has a seeming elevation that makes it look higher than Everest. It is also known as the savage mountain, it is straightforward to mistake the K2 as taller than Everest, but K2 is 8611 meters (28,251ft) above the sea, which is about 200meters lower than Everest’s 8,849 meters height.
Do we need to prepare differently to climb k2 and Everest?
There was a time when only passion and bravery are required to climb mountains but not anymore. Now though, you’d need a permit which verifies your experience as a previous climber, especially for daunting mountains like Everest and K2.
Asides from that, most interested climbers on Mount Everest will need almost a year in preparation, with consistent special training on climbing, body or fitness building, and a well-maintained health condition.
In short, you have to be in the best physical condition and mental and psychological wellness.
This preparation also helps develop a good cardio response, which allows the body gets plenty of oxygen.
Asides from general body fitness and wellness, this training period is also for you to get better at using your gears, equipment, and other safety skills required for climbing.
Preparation also helps you build significant endurance, tolerance, strength, and flexibility. Most of the time, it is best to practice on lower mountains.
Despite being some meters shorter than Mount Everest, K2 is more difficult and dangerous to climb and worse under winter conditions. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to climb.
The K2 climb season opens just about the time Mount Everest closes in May.
If you have climbed Mount Everest successfully, climbing the K2 is another feat on its own.
Unlike Everest, where you can occasionally find fresh food like bread, veggies, spare gears, and so on from villages close by, K2 doesn’t have all those, and so, you must be well-stocked before venturing the climb so you won’t get stranded on your way up.
Your fitness cannot be overestimated because you have to do the work of bearing your ropes and setting them up as you won’t find porters to help with those.
As there are slim chances of getting a rescue team in the K2, you also have to know some basic first aid/medical skills to save yourself or someone on your team.
You can risk a no oxygen adventure on Everest, but it is advisable to come prepared with your oxygen kit.
An additional tip is that you go packed with an extra of each item you have in your kit.
Nothing is too much, and you’d realize that when you are way up, and all you can do is to keep going up.
How fit do you need to climb either of 2?
You have to be very fit and in good physical shape to decide you want to climb Mounts Everest or K2.
Most climbers spend a year or more in training to keep in shape for climbing.
It’s not child’s play, so climbing mountains like Everest and K2 are not advisable for ages above 55.
It is a daunting task, and no matter the level of climbing experience, physical fitness declines with age.
While being fit does not guarantee protection against mountain sicknesses, it helps with agility, flexibility, and strength to adapt to changing situations as the altitude increases.
Physical fitness is gained through intense or rigorous training and fitness schedules to develop the build for the physical and technical problems you may find in the climbing adventure.
Also, as you train, you are not just focused on building physical strength alone but also developing adaptability skills.
That gives your fitness direction when the situation changes as you ascend.
Building fitness will also help you determine your stamina and limit correctly, so you know when you are within your ability or already pushing beyond your strength.
What are the challenges to climb K2 and Everest?
On Mount Everest, Air pressure decreases as you climb higher, which affects climbers’ oxygen availability.
Although few climbers have gotten to Everest’s peak without an oxygen kit, you need to know your capacity before taking such a risk.
This low oxygen makes the climbers easily prone to illness, mainly altitude sicknesses.
Another risk on Mount Everest is natural disasters such as avalanches or ice breaks.
This could be sudden, and because it catches some climbers unaware, they are caught up in it with no means of escape.
A record also stated that due to the large number of climbers trying to cover up their climb before the change in season, many are caught in Everest’s narrow trail, which is not a pleasant situation.
On the K2, however, it is seen as a dangerous adventure because the K2 mountain is steep and has a more challenging ascent.
K2 is more difficult to climb in winter, and so far, the first set of winter climbers were recorded just this year.
Alongside these are the avalanches, fierce winds, and extreme temperature.
5 Reasons Why K2 Is More Dangerous Than Everest
There are no porters/helpers, trails or routes and fixed ropes on the K2:
In essence, you are on your own, setting your ropes, finding support, and pitching your tent along the way.
All these added up leaves you exhausted even before you get halfway. Because Everest is more plied, climbers already leave marks, trails, and routes as markers for subsequent climbers.
Extreme weather condition and temperature:
A successful climb on K2 will be from lots of luck and minor skill due to the unpredictable weather condition.
Even if you think you have it well planned and figured out, something comes out of the blues to make the climb more challenging than you prepared for.
The steepness of the mountain:
The mountain is A-shaped from the peak and regardless of the path you take. The steepness is the obstacles that are on the way up, such as alpines, glaciers, and ice.
At a point when you are binging on oxygen for survival, you might be faced with a narrow crossing right between a hanging glacier—a daunting experience.
Lone mountain:
K2 has no surrounding villages or settlements where you can rely on for help or emergency supplies. And the worst is that it is out of reach for air-raids or medical assistance.
So, if you ever get in trouble, it takes a long time, if ever, to get help.
K2 has the most notorious bottleneck and pyramid on the way up.
This makes ascent a challenging task for daring climbers. The Mount is also known to have a high fatality rate, making it one of the deadliest mountains to hike.
10 interesting facts about K2:
1. K2 is also famous as the “Savage Mountain” because it is difficult, dangerous, and has recorded high fatality.
2. The name K2 was given because it’s the second mountain peak identified in the Karakoram. K2 means Karakoram 2.
3. Climbing the K2 mountain is very expensive.
4. It takes about 75 days to climb the K2.
5. The K2 is among the problematic top mountains to climb.
6. Other names K2 are known as “the mountaineer’s mountain,” “the king of mountains,” etc.
7. K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world, next only to Mount Everest.
8. K2 is located in a very remote and deserted area, and the base camp trek alone is a significant task before the climb.
9. K2’s first successful winter climb is recorded in this year 2021.
10. K2’s summit is based on the China-Pakistan border. This means it can be approached from the south through Pakistan and from the North through China.
10 interesting facts about Mount Everest.
1. Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world above sea level.
2. Mount Everest is over a 60million years old.
3. Everest still grows yearly by almost a quarter inch.
4. Everest’s summit window is in Mid-May when the temperature is warm enough to welcome climbers.
5. The Nepal side of Everest is more popularly climbed than the Tibet side.
6. There are about 18 climbing routes on Mount Everest.
7. Climbing Everest takes approximately 40days so the body can adjust to the high altitude.
8. There is a total of about 10,000 summits on Everest.
9. The mountain is covered in deep snow all year round.
10. The mountain temperature is cold but can be very hot in the Western CWM; route climbers also take to reach the summit.
Conclusion
We have been able to give clarity on the topic, which says it is k2 higher than Everest.
We have detailed information on each of the mountains, and we hope you find every piece of information on this page insightful and informative.
