K2 Gets Commercialized: The First Guided Expedition To K2
April 15, 2009
Rock and Ice Magazine is reporting that Fabrizio Zangrilli will be leading the first-ever commercial expedition to K2 in 2009. An Australian/U.S. expedition company, Field Touring Alpine, has put this expedition together.
From Rock and Ice:
The K2 expedition which will depart this June for Pakistan ushers in a new era of Himalayan mountain-guiding or “Super Guiding” and is unparalleled in scope: seven seasoned high-altitude climbers will employ a commercial guide service and the leadership skills of Zangrilli — one of the strongest alpinists in the world and a recent addition to Marmot’s global athlete team – to attempt one of the most difficult mountains ever.
Eleven climbers lost their lives in a tragic accident on K2 in 2008. This accident garnered world-wide attention and sparked a discussion here that K2 may be the next big peak to be commercialized. In theory, this discussion was started after it was revealed that a couple of the K2 climbers had payed for Sherpa assistance-a first of it’s kind on K2. One year later, it has become official.
Is commercializing K2 a good idea?
Looking at what has become of Mt. Everest over the last 20 years, with hundreds and hundreds of people vying for that ultimate summit each Spring, K2 would present a much bigger challenge. The death rate on Everest has dwindled down to less than 1 in 20 in recent years, while K2’s 1 in 4 presents a much greater danger. I am not sure that I would like to see K2 go the way of Everest. It is fun to read and watch, but it takes something away from the challenge when teams begin to find the fastest/easiest route up to make a few dollars. What are your thoughts? Comment below.
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under K2 |
[...] и техническата му сложност, отговора е по-скоро не. От The Adventurist [...]
K2 is simply too hard to have clients carried to the top by sherpa’s or HAP’s…
I think many people agree. You have to remember that at one time, Everest was thought of as the same. I am curious to see how this pans out in the future and if more commercial expeditions will begin looking at K2 prospects.
I still believe that this isn’t a good idea. The danger and liability factors are exorbitantly enhanced on K2. Thanks for your comments.
I donno, I think I agree with you Jason. I don’t like the commercialization of Everest much. I think it is cool to attempt Everest after a lot of years of training and experience, and the guided ascents are great; they sure are making it safer on Everest. On the other hand K2 is much harder and more dangerous, so I gotta think that only really good mountaineers would attempt k2, even with a great guide.