First ascent of k2 book

Some 800 feet shorter than everest, k2 makes up the difference with ruthless weather, treacherous terrain, and an isolation that makes even approaching its base a challenge. One of michael chesslers top 100 mountaineering books. A superb mountaineer, the k2 trauma left him physically and emotionally ravaged, but it also marked him out as an instinctive and tenacious survivor. I have long since forgotten the name of the author and the title of the book but i remember the picture of everest on the cover with an inset of ed hillary sadly no tenzing. He agrees that walter bonatti became a victim and a sacrificial lamb. The book measures 218mm tall x 145mm, and has 273 pages, 63 bw photos on 24 plates, 3 maps, 1 chart. A thrilling chronicle of the tragedyridden history of climbing k2, the worlds most difficult and unpredictable mountain, by the bestselling authors of no shortcuts to the topat 28,251 feet, the worlds secondtallest mountain, k2 thrusts skyward out of the karakoram range of northern. The savage mountain devours its victims during the long winter beteween climbing seasons. K2 is the highest point of the karakoram range and the. It was a cause for celebration in a wartorn country. The epic saga of the first ascent, draws on those interviews, as well as newly released diaries and letters. Janusz golab, 50, will assist in planning and tactics. Hermann buhl reach the summit later on the same day.

The trip leader will be 67yearold krzysztof wielicki, one of the top highaltitude climbers from the 1980s. Its a history of some notablenotorious k2 expeditions told from a mountaineers perspective. Lino lacedelli on the peak of k2 at the end of the first. Unfortunately, the author was subject to a smear campaign regarding his contributions to the first ascent of k2 for reasons outside of his control and this book reveals the injustice and presents a convincing case as to how the whole episode originated. A workmanlike telling of the first ascent of k2 and the expeditions leading up to it. Second highest peak in the world, 1955, yakushi d167b, united kingdom edition. Avondale is chicagos worldclass climbing gym, designed to serve and grow the local climbing community. This is fine, and of course knowledge of the topography and route potential of various parts of the mountain gained from the failed efforts certainly aided subsequent expeditions. Oct 15, 2015 at 28,251 ft, k2 might be almost 800 ft shorter than everest, but its a far harder climb. The ghosts of k2 by mick conefrey aims to shed new light on the first ascent its history has been covered in depth in a number of wellknown books, so why write another one. K2 is situated in the karakoram range on the border between pakistan and china.

The true stories of the first five women who climbed k2, the worlds most feared mountain hardcover. K2 simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. He and andy kauffman made the first ascent of gasherbrum i, hidden peak. Thankfully, rick ridgeways the last step offers a stunning account of the first american ascent of k2, with writing so vivid and immediate youll feel as if youre actually climbing alongside the author.

While everest is of course the worlds highest mountain, it is k2 that is perhaps the worlds most coveted summit among hardcore mountaineers. The first successful ascent of k2, which at 8,611 m 28,251 ft is the worlds second highest mountain, was achieved by achille compagnoni and lino lacedelli both italy on 31 july 1954. We take pride in offering carefully described books and excellent customer. Life and death on the worlds most dangerous mountain by ed viesturs is really interesting. The series of deaths, over the course of the friday ascent and saturday descent, was the worst single accident in the history of k2 mountaineering. A thrilling chronicle of the tragedyridden history of climbing k2, the worlds most difficult and unpredictable mountain, by the bestselling authors of no shortcuts to the topat 28,251 feet, the worlds secondtallest mountain, k2 thrusts skyward out of the karakoram range of northern pakistan. Kurt diemberger is one of only two climbers to have made first ascents of two 8000metre peaks, broad peak and dhaulagiri. It is also known as mount godwinausten or chhogori. At 28,251 ft, k2 might be almost 800 ft shorter than everest, but its a far harder climb. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the ghosts of k2. Critical analysis of conefreys text in his book the ghosts of k2 published on october 10th oneworld publications challenging bonattis story of the k2 1rst ascent and its revised cai official version 2004 contradicting the 2004 statement published 50 years after the event by the italian alpine club vetting bonattis version of the k2 ascent, backed up by all the press and. The 1954 italian k2 expedition is probably the most rancorous in the history of mountaineering. Martin conway, climbing and exploration in the karakoram himalayas, 1894, yakushi c336a. Confessions from the first ascent of k2 italians proudly describe the first ascent of k2 as one of the golden pages in climbing history.

Led by italian climber ardito desio, the expedition to make the first successful ascent to the summit of k2, did so via the abruzzi spur on 31 july 1954. The first successful ascent of everest 60 years ago in. Its archive footage of the 1955 british kangchenjunga expedition. Apr 07, 2015 a workmanlike telling of the first ascent of k2 and the expeditions leading up to it. He also saved his whole team, seven lives in one belay, on k2 in 1953. This is a good overview of expeditions to k2 from 1901 through recent years. A monumental book i defy anyone to read it and remain unmoved. Unlike everest, there is no yak route for commercial clients. This exhilarating book traces the climbing history of k2, the worlds second tallest peak at 28,251 feet, and offers a new twist to its controversial first ascent.

After 50 years, lacedelli finally talks about what really happened on the first ascent of k2 in 1954. Glacier books are experienced and professional booksellers. Viesturss bona fides include being the first american to climb the worlds 14 8,000meter peaks thus joining an elite fraternity of 16 other. This book has been signed on the shorttitle page by achille compagnoni and by lino lacedelli, the two who made the first ascent of the mountain. This book describes the first american ascent of k2 via the difficult northeast ridge, with jim wickwire and lou reichardt reaching the summit on september 6, 1978, lou being the first person to climb k2 without oxygen. May 23, 20 a new book published by the royal geographical society this week celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first successful ascent of mount everest on 29 may 1953. By 1978, when ridgeway and eleven other men and women set out on the sixth u. Mick conefreys book accounting the early ascents of k2 is a straightforward description of the incidents, leading up to the eventual summit of k2 by the italian team in 1954. It is the original first italian edition with all text in italian. Desio, ardito victory over k2 by ardito first edition. The epic saga of the first ascent ebook written by mick conefrey. Amongst the general public, mount everest will always be the mountain a place that is fascinating and amazing. Why k2 brings out the best and worst in those who climb it.

Mick conefrey guides us through the early story of the legendary mountain and the extraordinary attempts that led up to its first ascent in 1954 these are tales of. Cycling first ascent best outdoor clothing and gear hiking. Archive footage of the 1955 first ascent of kangchenjunga. Same size as the englishlanguage editions but illustrated much better with more than twice the number of photo plates, plus. This is the official account of the 1954 italian expedition that completed the first ascent of k2, with achille compagnoni and lino lacedelli reaching the k2 summit on july 30, 1954. Stephen venables, alpine journal acclaimed as one of the most powerful accounts of mountain adventure and tragedy ever written, the endless knot is a harrowing account of the 1986 k2 disaster. K2 had claimed the lives of thirteen climbers that summer. As many pages are devoted to the five prior efforts 1902 1953. Someone already mentioned annapurna by maurice herzog. In this definitive account, mick conefrey grippingly describes the early attempts to reach the summit and provides a fascinating exploration of the first ascen. First ascent is south africas leading technical outdoor clothing and equipment brand. Oct 21, 2015 the ghosts of k2 by mick conefrey aims to shed new light on the first ascent its history has been covered in depth in a number of wellknown books, so why write another one.

It seems like the author did a lot of research on the many different first ascent attempts of k2. The epic saga of the first ascent, which was released in hardcover last week. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Everest gets the publicity, but secondhighest k2 28,250, 80 miles from the nearest habitation in the karakoram range of pakistan is, by almost any standard, a tougher mountain. It is located on the chinapakistan border between baltistan in the gilgitbaltistan region of northern pakistan, and dafdar township in taxkorgan tajik autonomous county of xinjiang, china. Nov 12, 2015 at 28,251 ft, k2 might be almost 800 ft shorter than everest, but its a far harder climb. There are 16 pages of colour photos, 12 pages of bw photos, and 27 bw photos inline with text. The following is a list of books about k2, a mountain in the karakorum range between pakistan and china, listed by expedition date. Artur malek, who made the first winter ascent of broad peak, will be on the. Together with achille compagnoni, he was the first man to reach the summit of k2 on july 31, 1954. Adventure tale aficionados will find new details about the first successful everest summit expedition that havent been previously published in one book.

K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, at 8,611 metres 28,251 ft. It is located partly in china and partly in pakistan. A rare firsthand account from a survivor at the very epicentre of the drama, the endless knot describes the disaster in frank detail. The epic saga of the first ascent, draws on those interviews, as well as newly released diaries and letters, to take us inside the obsessions, feuds, and acts. Polish heading to k2 for first winter ascent attempt. Finally, in 1952 the opportunity to make a reconnaissance expedition was realized, followed by a a preparatory journey in 1953, and the subsequent italian expedition led by him in 1954, which indeed was victorious, making the first ascent of k2. In 1954, an italian expedition climbed k2, the worlds second highest mountain and arguably the most difficult of all the 8000m peaks. The book that motivated me to explore the outdoors and the trekking world was an account of first ascent of everest. Official account of the first ascent of k2 8611m by the leader of the expedition. A new book published by the royal geographical society this week celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first successful ascent of mount everest. Mick conefrey guides us through the early story of the legendary mountain and the extraordinary attempts that led up to its first ascent in 1954 these are tales of riveting drama and unimaginable. Well written account of the first ascent of k2, and the many different attempts.

He has years of experience in the himalayas, including a gasherbum i ascent with adam bielecki. Its not just about the 1954 first ascent, but the whole of k2s early climbing history up to that point. Americas only time making a first ascent of an 8000 meter peak. Its a totally fascinating account of the first ascent of annapurna. The two climbers who reached the summit were lino lacedelli and achille compagnoni.

This is the first printing of the first italian edition of ascent of k2 or victory over k2. I have been reading every non fiction book on everest and. In this definitive account, mick conefrey grippingly describes the early attempts to reach the summit and provides a fascinating exploration of the first ascents complex legacy. A bit misleading, the book not only covers the first attempt, but covers all of them, fascinating accounts of the attempts to climb k2. They were members of an italian expedition led by ardito desio. K2 trekking guidebooks, books, external links, dvds and videos. There is plenty of excitement, but by focusing more on the what and how than on the why, the ghosts of k2 bypasses the insight into character and small group psychology that elevates the best adventure literature beyond the genre. First ascent of k2, the second highest peak in the world. Its not often ive sat through a whole silent movie that doesnt feature slapstick comedy and a honkytonk piano playing in the background, but in this case i made an exception. At 28,251 feet, k2 might be almost 800 feet shorter than everest, but its a far harder climb. Mick conefrey asks this very question in the prologue of his new book the ghosts of k2.

The italian 1954 first ascent covers about half the book. K2 book jackson county library services bibliocommons. We specialise in hiking, cycling, running, camping, ski and triathlon clothing and gear designed for every south african environment. The following is a list of books about k2, a mountain in the karakorum range between. The 2008 k2 disaster occurred on 1 august 2008, when 11 mountaineers from international expeditions died on k2, the secondhighest mountain on earth. The name k2 came from the first survey of karakoram. The epic story of the first ascent of everest, 2014, etc. K2 life and death on the worlds most dangerous mountain book. Find out what you need to know about climbing here. It encases the torsos in ice and grates them against the rocks, only to spit out the digested remains decades later, scattering limbs among the avalanche debris. But it was an ascent which was also to lead to recriminations, accusations of deceit, slanders, libels and court cases. Dec 07, 2018 the book that motivated me to explore the outdoors and the trekking world was an account of first ascent of everest. Mick conefrey at 28,251 feet, k2 might be almost 800 feet shorter than everest, but it is a far tougher proposition. K2, at 8,611 metres 28,251 ft above sea level, is the second highest mountain in the world, after mount everest at 8,848 metres 29,029 ft.