Winter Ascent of K2 by Sherpas

Finally, some good news. A group of sherpas became the first to climb K2 in winter. All 10 climbers stopped 30-feet below the summit so they could summit together. On individual was listed as the first. There are few sports in the world where racial hierarchies are so apparent. White high-altitude climbers' success has been built on the backs of sherpas. So, to have a group with no white people take the last prize left in high-altitude mountaineering feels like a victory, and a portent of change. For anyone who knows anything about mountaineering, K2 a.ka. 'the savage mountain' is the biggest challenge in high-altitude climbing. Not only is it much more of a technical challenge than Everest, it is also much further North, making it significantly colder and windier. It is also very remote--the reason it doesn't have a local name is because it is not visible from any place that is habitable. It is also considered especially unlucky for women as disproportionate number of casualties have been women. K2 and Nanga Parbat have a special fascination for me because they are located in the Karakoram range. My favourite short story is also set there. Summitting K2 is just part of the battle as most fatalities occur during the descent. I just hope they get back safely.