Japanese, Italian mountaineers scale K-2 in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

ISLAMABAD: Japanese and Italian mountaineers have scaled the world's second-highest mountain peak, K-2, in recent weeks, according to reports made available here Friday.

Besides, an all-women international expedition has also climbed the Gasher Brum (GB) II, which is one of the five peaks, including K-2, situated in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.

The Japanese Dosanko expedition to scale K-2 was led by Masahide Matsumoto who himself set foot on the 8,611-metres high peak alongside his companions Asuka Inui and Takesako Tamoya.

The Italian expedition to K-2 was named Sports-cum-Scientific Commemorative campaign and was spearheaded by Agostino Da Polenza who, nonetheless, was not amongst the four climbers making it to the top.

The four Italians to achieve the feat were Ugo Giacomelli, Walter Nones, Michele Compagnoni and Karl Unterkircher.

The two ladies to see the apex of 8,035-metres high GB-II were identified as Ms. Susan Erica Fear of Australia and Briton Mrs. Wade. They were members of United States of America International Friendship GB-II expedition, headed by Stuart Remensnyder.

In addition to K-2 and GB-II, the three other peaks towering above 8,000 metres, located in Pakistan's Northern Areas, are:Nanga Parbat (8,135 metres), GB-I (8,068 metres) and Broad Peak (8,047 metres).

Eight of the world's 14 "8,000ers" are in Nepal and remaining one on the Chinese side of Himalayas.●