Asia, Pakistan, K2, South-Southeast Ridge, Ascent

Publication Year: 1997.

K2, South-Southeast Ridge, Ascent. A Japanese expedition led by Yamamoto Atushi (33) put 12 members on the summit of K2 and recorded the third and fifth ascents of K-2’s south-southeast ridge. Deputy leader Matsubara Masayuki (31) led a team of six climbers from Camp III at 7850 meters. The climbers reached the top and recorded the third ascent of the Basque route, followed by a Chilean expedition which put four members on top on August 13. Yamamoto started on August 14 with six others, including Takahashi Kazuhiro (22), who upon summitting, became the youngest climber to climb the mountain.

The summiters who reached the top on August 12 were Matsubara Masayuki, 33, Akasaka Kenzo, 28, Murata Bunsho, 26, Yoshida Yuichi, 26, Tanigawa Taro, 29, and Sshiina Atsushi, 26. The summitters who reached the top on August 14 were Yamamoto Atsushi, 33, Inaba Hideki, 32, Nagakubo Koji 27, Takeuchi Hirotaka, 25, Takahashi Kazuhiro, 22, and Sana Takashi, 23.

The expedition used oxygen above Camp III and used 4000 meters of fixed ropes. The team made Base Camp at 5200 meters, Camp I at 6400 meters, Camp II at 7050 meters, and Camp III at 7850 meters.

Asem Mustafa Awan, The Nation, Pakistan