The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day

Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day

by Peter Zuckerman

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14827 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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On August 1, 2008, tragedy struck on K2, the world's second-highest mountain. Eleven climbers perished, including 10 Sherpa guides. This article tells the extraordinary story of those brave climbers.

K2 is a formidable mountain. It is located in the Karakoram Range on the border between Pakistan and China. At 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level, it is the second-highest mountain in the world, after Mount Everest.

K2 is also one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. The death zone, the region above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) where the air is too thin to sustain human life for long, begins at a lower altitude on K2 than on Everest. The weather on K2 is also notoriously unpredictable, and storms can strike with little warning.

On August 1, 2008, a team of 11 climbers, including 10 Sherpa guides, set out from Camp 4 on K2. The team was led by Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, an Austrian climber who was attempting to become the first woman to summit K2 without supplemental oxygen.

The climbers made good progress at first, but they were soon caught in a storm. The storm brought high winds, snow, and ice. The climbers were forced to retreat to Camp 4, but they were unable to stay there for long. The camp was located in a dangerous area, and the climbers were at risk of being swept away by an avalanche.

The climbers decided to descend to Camp 3, but they were caught in another storm. The storm was so severe that the climbers were forced to spend the night on the mountain. They were exposed to extreme cold and wind, and they were running out of oxygen.

On the morning of August 2, the storm finally abated. The climbers were able to descend to Camp 3, but they were exhausted and injured. They were also running out of food and water.

The climbers made a desperate attempt to descend to Camp 2, but they were stopped by another storm. The storm was so severe that the climbers were forced to spend another night on the mountain.

On the morning of August 3, the storm finally abated. The climbers were able to descend to Camp 2, but they were too weak to continue. They were eventually rescued by a team of Pakistani climbers.

Of the 11 climbers who set out from Camp 4 on August 1, 2008, only three survived. The other eight climbers, including all 10 Sherpa guides, perished.

The tragedy on K2 was a devastating loss for the climbing community. The Sherpa climbers who died were some of the most experienced and skilled climbers in the world. They were known for their strength, courage, and dedication.

The Sherpa climbers who died on K2 were heroes. They risked their lives to help others achieve their dreams. They will never be forgotten.

The Sherpa Climbers

The Sherpa climbers who died on K2 were a diverse group of men from different backgrounds. They came from small villages in the Himalayas, and they had dedicated their lives to climbing.

• Pasang Bhote was a 34-year-old climber from the village of Thame. He was known for his strength and endurance. He had summitted K2 three times before.
• Dawa Tendi was a 31-year-old climber from the village of Solukhumbu. He was known for his technical skills and his ability to climb in difficult conditions. He had summitted K2 twice before.
• Mingma Gelu was a 30-year-old climber from the village of Phortse. He was known for his speed and agility. He had summitted K2 once before.
• Lhakpa Gelu was a 29-year-old climber from the village of Phortse. He was known for his strength and determination. He had summitted K2 once before.
• Pasang Nima was a 28-year-old climber from the village of Thame. He was known for his cheerful disposition and his willingness to help others. He had summitted K2 once before.
• Chhiring Dorje was a 27-year-old climber from the village of Thame. He was known for his quiet strength and his ability to remain calm under pressure. He had summitted K2 once before.
• Pemba Dorje was a 26-year-old climber from the village of Thame. He was known for his speed and agility. He had summitted K2 once before.
• Dawa Sherpa was

Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day

by Peter Zuckerman

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14827 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE