K2 - South Face

The second highest mountain on the planet, at 8,611m, is also among the most difficult and dangerous. It was the last to be climbed in winter, and even its "normal" route, the Abruzzi ridge, is a steep and technical endeavor that has little to do with its big brother Everest.

The image from this poster was captured between Concordia and Base Camp and shows the two most popular routes, the Abruzzi and the Cesen, as well as some extreme lines that have yet to see further ascents.

Download: Medium resolution, personal use only

Route List

1: West Ridge,E. Ohtani, N.A. Sabir, 08/1981
2: The Magic Line,P. Božík, P. Piasecki, W. Wróz, 08/1986
3: Kukuczka-Piotrowski,J. Kukuczka, T. Piotrowski†, 07/1986
4: Bargiel descent,A. Bargiel, 07/2018
5: South-Southeast Spur/“Cesen” route,A. Iñurrategi, F. Iñurrategi, J. Oiarzabal, E. de Pablo, J. Tomás, 06/1994
6: Abruzzi Ridge,A. Compagnoni, L. Lacedelli, 07/1954
  A: House Chimney
  B: Black Pyramid
  C: The Shoulder
  D: The Bottleneck

Sources

• “K2 and Northern Baltoro Mustagh,” Jan Kielkowski, Explo, 1997

• “K2, The Mountaineer’s Mountain, Part II (1974-2012),” Steve Swenson, Alpinist Magazine, Issue 38, Spring 2012

• Marc Galy

• Ralf Dujmovits

• Garrett Madison

• Summitpost.org

• Mountain Planet

• Jasmine Tours

Updates

Jul 20, 2021: First version published.

May 24, 2024: Graphic design update

Sep 2, 2025: Graphic design update

Mar 11, 2026: Minor caption update

Apr 23, 2026: Graphic design and caption update