Climbing Mount Everest is the dream and the goal of many people all around the world. Mountaineers, however, do not consider themselves victorious until they finally climb the second-tallest mountain in the world, Mount K2. K2 has been considered a dangerous mountain, and summiteers have always feared climbing it, considering its ruthless nature. However, both Mount Everest and Mount K2 are just as dangerous. And mountaineers have both failed and succeeded in ascending the peaks of these summits.
There has always been a debate among many travelers and mountaineers on climbing Mount Everest Vs. K2. One may consider climbing Mount Everest dangerous in comparison to Mount K2. But this isn’t the case. Both these locations have different reasons to be the most difficult climbs for mountaineers, no matter how good they are at what they do.
Let’s further discuss the difficulties of climbing Mount Everest Vs. K2.
Mount Everest Vs. K2
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, standing at 8,848.86 m (29,031 ft 8+1⁄2 in) above sea level. On the other hand, K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, stands at a height of 8,611 meters (28,251 ft) above sea level. Though Everest is tall, it is not the most fierce mountain in the world. There have been records of K2 beating Mount Everest in being dangerous and deadlier.
While thousands of people have successfully climbed Mount Everest, only over 300 have climbed Mount K2.
While Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas in the China-Nepal border, K2 is located in the northwestern Karakoram Range in the Baltistan region of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China.
Mount Everest Himalaya Landscapes Vs. K2 Karakoram Landscape
One of the biggest differences between Mount Everest Vs. K2 is their landscapes. Mount Everest is located in Nepal, whereas K2 is located in Pakistan. There are certainly many differences in the mountains and their geography despite both being some of the world’s tallest mountains.
While mountaineers ascend to K2, they can easily feel the mountains getting steeper as they go up. The glaciers are very pointy and steep, so travelers find it hard to get beyond a certain point. There have been many who have failed to get beyond a point from K2, while a few have died while returning from the steep peak. On the other hand, Mount Everest may not be as steep as K2, but it has its steep points. This, however, does not make Everest any easier to climb than K2. But, summiteers sure find lesser difficulty in going through a less steep road than a steep one.
Similarly, the Himalayan panorama landscape in Nepal’s base camp area is much greener than the Karakoram area’s landscape. This is because the base camp in Pakistan is more on the drier and lifeless side. The climate differences and livelihood in both areas play a vital role in determining the landscapes of the areas.
Mountain Everest and K2 Cultural Differences
Mount Everest is located in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal. The people in the area are mostly Buddhists. One is likely to find lots of Sherpas in the area. All the guides and porters are more than likely to be Sherpas.
In the K2 base camp, you will find lots of Pakistani natives. They are Muslims. You will surely reminisce about your time in the area when you hear the chimes of the mosque even after returning from the base camp. Besides this, however, you can find some Sherpas in the areas that will help you ascend to the top of the mountain. To this day, many summiteers from all around the world have taken along Sherpas on their journey to the peak of K2. Likewise, some Pakistani porters will be thrilled to take you along to the top.
Climbing Mount Everest Vs. K2, which is the best time?
Most mountaineers wonder when is the best time to climb Mount Everest Vs. K2. To this, the answers will surely vary as both these places have different climates and conditions. You need to know a few things about these two places before you trek in either location.
The weather in Nepal is quite unfavorable if you want to hike up Everest during the summertime. You should make up your mind about rain and bad weather even if you decide to travel to Everest in summer. Hence, most people prefer to travel to the Everest area during the fall. If you want to know the best time to go to the tallest mountain in the world, you should consider going there from August to November.
Anytime beyond November may again be unfavorable due to extreme cold weather conditions in the area.
Coming to K2, the location’s weather conditions are quite different compared to the one at Mount Everest despite both being mountainous areas. The Karakoram mountains of Pakistan have a very high likelihood of getting rain. Hence, you should be prepared to avoid going there during the rainy seasons. Likewise, summers aren’t the best either. The summer in the Karakoram area is much hotter than in the Mount Everest area, especially from Lukla to Namche. Hence, again, it is suggested that you carry a duffel bag in folded dry bags on your visit to K2. The best part, however, is the start of fall if you want to get through your hike safely and in the most convenient way possible.
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Is climbing K2 more dangerous than climbing Mount Everest?
For many reasons, climbing K2 is more dangerous than climbing Mount Everest. One of the major reasons is Mount Everest is very popular. On the other hand, though it is popular, K2 is yet to get the name and recognition that Everest has in the world. Hence, this makes fewer people visit the area hence lesser facilities as compared to Everest.
While you get to rest for tea and more in the Everest base camp area tea stalls, you are less than likely to find any tea stalls around the K2 base camp. If you want to rest, there won’t be any place besides your tent. This is why convenience while traveling is not as accessible in K2.
Furthermore, K2 is very steep. Even the best mountaineers find it tough to climb the extremely steep peak. This increases the probability of avalanches and ice falls in K2 more than in Mount Everest. Though there are avalanches and landslides even on Everest, you will be in danger of getting caught in one of the landslides or avalanches a lot more when you are in K2.
While there are also chances that after walking a certain distance, you will find people and towns in your journey to Mt. Everest, K2 is a lonesome mountain. There is no sign of livelihood once you walk up to the mountain. Once lost, you may hardly be found in the area. This proves why a lot of mountaineers have failed to reach to the peak of Mount K2.
A mountaineer has famously called K2 “the worse place on Earth.” Similarly, another summiteer has called this mountain a savage mountain. All these reasons sum up why K2 might be a bit more dangerous than Mount Everest.
