An all-Nepali team of 10 climbers became the first to reach the summit of K2 in winter this afternoon. Stepping onto the summit together at 5 pm local time (7am Eastern time, 12pm GMT), they claimed a historic first for the Nepali climbing community, as K2 had been the only 8,000m peak unclimbed in winter. The lead climbers waited for the rest to join them and they all reached the top together, singing Nepal’s national anthem.
The summit team that left Camps 3 and 4 included Mingma G, with Dawa Tenzing and Kilu Sherpa; Nirmal Purja, with Mingma Gyabu “David” Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Pemchhiri Sherpa, Gelje Sherpa and Mingma Tenzi Sherpa; and Sona Sherpa from Seven Summit Treks.
K2 summit climbers seen through a camera at Base Camp. Photo: Chhang Dawa Sherpa
The team had to break trail and fix ropes along the way. The final push took several hours longer than expected. They will now have to descend in the dark.
All attention now focuses on the descent and the safe return of the climbers to the lower camps. We’ll keep you posted with further details as we receive them, especially when everyone is safely down. For now, it’s time to congratulate the team on this amazing first.
