DPA
Three Nepalese women have successfully climbed K2, the world’s second highest mountain and considered to be the most difficult, expedition sponsors said yesterday.
The ascent came as Pakistan celebrated the 1954 feat of two Italian climbers who were the first to reach the 8,611m peak.
“A separate team of Nepalese women - Maya Sherpa, Dawa Yanjung Sherpa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa - climbed the mountain on Saturday,” said Ang Tsering Sherpa, the president of Nepal Mountaineering
Association.
It was the first time that Nepalese women have climbed the mountain, considered among the most difficult of the world’s peaks higher than 8,000m.
The women’s expedition carries the slogan “Women climbing for climate change,” to raise awareness about global warming.
The main climbing season on the world’s highest mountain, Everest (8,848m) lasts from April to May and ends as the monsoon begins.
“The weather pattern in Pakistan’s mountains is different from Nepal’s. Summer is the most appropriate time to climb, as they don’t have rain like we do in Nepal,” said Ang Tsering Sherpa.
“Karakoram is in the rain-shed area, so the climbing season in Pakistan is later than that of Nepal, between July and
August.”
A joint team of six climbers from Pakistan and Italy also climbed K2 on Saturday to mark the diamond jubilee.
