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Comparing and Contrasting K2 and Mount Everest Essay

The geodynamics of the mountain ranges involve a lot of elements. The study of mountains revolves around the history of these mountain ranges, the climate, the role of respective areas and the difficulties of these mountains. It is a known fact that every mountain climbers in the past had the most amazing experience of their lives when they climbed those mountains. However, both these mountains are unique in their own way and every person holds a different perspective related to K2 and Mount Everest. These two mountains are both considered as one of the greatest wonders of the world and this is a fact which cannot be denied. K2 and Mount Everest have unique history which is a significant part of these two mountains. As far as the tallest mountain is concerned, it goes without saying that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain however, K2 is more difficult to climb in comparison to Mount Everest. Mount Everest is considered as an attraction of Nepal where K2 is considered as the mighty pride of Pakistan. K2 is the second highest mountain in the world. However there are many people who believe it is not really easy to climb K2 as it might seem for the mountain climbers.

There are a lot of things in the history of the Mount Everest that people don’t know. In fact, people were not even aware of the existence of Mount Everest as the roof of the world until the 19th century. It was during the 1800s that Britain launched a survey for the analysis of the Mount Everest but this journey was definitely not an easy one as there were, the climate, the insects in that area made it if more difficult for the surveyors to conduct an analysis of the Mount Everest. After that survey, it was proved that Himalaya is the highest mountain range of the world. However, later in the 1900s after the survey of Mount Everest, it was revealed that it is the King of all of the mountain ranges. There were too many mysterious attempts to scale the Everest in the 19th century.

According to the facts and figures a camera was carried to support the evidence which were collected at that time. First time in the history the height of this mountain range was determined in 1856. The height of Mount Everest is about 29029 feet. Mount Everest is situated in the Mahalingam mountain range. The first attempt to climb this mountain was made in 1921, which was not a successful attempt at that time. The body of the first mount Everest climber was found in 1999 due to the adverse climatic condition it was not easy to locate the body for the search team at that time. There is a mystery of his death which is yet to be solved. Later in 1952, the two members of a British expedition were the first successful climbers of the Mount Everest and that was something which became a source of fame for both these climbers. The best season to climb Mount Everest in May because at that time the wind has almost died and as the top of the Everest is engulfed by the jet stream it is safe to climb Everest in the month of May.

The other reason why most of the climbers attempt to climb in either May or September is to avoid the snow storms or monsoon rains near the summer season. The altitude of the Mount Everest is the most significant issue when it comes to climbing Mount Everest. The standard route that most of the climbers choose is quite easy as compared to the K2, however, the biggest factor is the lack of oxygen at that particular height. Of course, the height of Mount Everest does not allow any life or let the alone growth of vegetable, however, plants like blue pines, firs, and bamboo grow in the lower areas. Moreover, Himalayan black bears are also found in the lower altitudes. Climbing Everest is not an over the night dream. It might take more than months or even years to get that kind of training. There are different types of camps which help in the preparation of climbing the Everest.

People all around the world consider K2 as one of the greatest attractions of the country, Pakistan. For a lot of native people, K2 was also known as Chogori which in the local language means, king of all the mountains. For a lot of people, K2 is the killer mountain and it is the name which was given to this mountain in the past because a lot of people have made unsuccessful attempts to climb this mountain. Even the American expedition has made too many unsuccessful attempts. K2 is massive in size but the size is not exactly an issue in this matter. K2 is a rocky mountain up to 6000 meters. The peak of K2 is situated at the Pak-China border the Karakoram ranges.

There is one traditional route for the K2 which includes the base camp in Skardu. It was during the war of 1856 that a young lieutenant among the royal engineers took a keen interest in the Karakoram mountain ranges. It was at that time that he discovered the beautiful peak of the K2. As this lieutenant was among the royal engineers, the survey he did in reference to this mountain was quite remarkable. He indeed was the exact same person who put forward the idea and organized the survey of Kashmir as well. In 1902, the first expedition related to the K2 was organized. There were no proper guidelines at that time however the major aim was to explore the Karakorum mountain ranges, Eckenstein was the first mountaineer who applied the principles of engineering to mountaineering and its equipment in Pakistan. The first two people who decided to climb the K2 were British mountaineers who surveyed the glaciers of the K2 in 1973.

The availability of food is an alarming situation at K2 and that was the reason why there have been a lot of unsuccessful attempts in the past. Another attempt to climb K2 was made in 1953. It was a team of medical doctors who wanted to do a research on the effect of higher altitude on the lifespan of the humans and also the risks and possible diseases which can be caused during the stay of climbers in the higher altitudes. The unstable weather conditions made it unsure for the climbers to gather all the things they need and especially when it comes to K2 as the weather is quite unpredictable unlike Mount Everest which is suitable in the month of May and September mostly. The word K2 has a history attached to it. At that time, one of the royal engineers was able to see the peak from quite a distance and as the first survey of the Karakorum ranges included two peaks K1 and K2, it became famous and everyone started calling it by this specific name. K2 is basically a mountain which is folded and it was formed by the convection currents of the plates which were able to push the continental plates together and it had a different shape once it was formed. K2 is 8611 meters and it is considered as the second highest peak in the world, Mount Everest being the first highest peak. As far as climbing K2 is concerned, no matter which route you choose or how many plans or strategies you make it has always been the difficult mountain to climb in comparison the Mount Everest. There have been a number of tragedies linked to the K2 the most famous ones were from the year 1986 and 2008. As far the Mountaineers are concerned, it has been extremely difficult for a lot of these native mountaineers to even manage strategies as there are not too many resources available and barring the history of the area of K2 there is not much that you can expect from the mountain ranges as well. The peak of K2 has been climbed from almost all the ridges which says a lot about the mountaineers who chose to take the risk. The journey to the K2 is more like a physical challenge than a source of pleasure.

Mount Everest and K2 are considered as the wonders which add sparkle to the beauty of this world, however, there is a lot that many of us still do not know about these two mountain ranges. A lot of people do not support the idea of being part of something that is too risky however there are a lot of lessons which is learned if you let yourself experience a once in a lifetime opportunity. It takes years of training and planning before the Mountaineers finally decide to begin their journey. However, the idea of overcoming the fear of facing adverse conditions is a reward for all those who fear the adverse heights. Besides, there are a lot of risks and no one should allow themselves to be a part of something highly professional unless they are ready.

Work Cited

Isserman, Maurice, and Stewart Weaver. Fallen Giants. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2010. Print.

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