A team of Nepalese mountaineers has claimed one of climbing's last great prizes by becoming the first to reach the top of K2 in winter.
The 10-strong team reached the peak of the world's second tallest mountain on Saturday afternoon after hours of slogging through the mountain's high altitude “death zone”.
As the team descended from the summit, their achievement was hailed as a victory for both world climbing and the prowess of Nepalese climbers who for decades had been relegated to acting as assistants on foreign expeditions.
“What a journey. I’m humbled to say that as a team, we have summited the magnificent K2 in extreme winter conditions,” said Nirmal Purja, one of the climbers.
Mr Purja, a former Gurkha and who served in the British special forces, said: “We set out to make the impossible possible and we are honoured to be sharing this moment, not only with the Nepalese climbing community but with communities all across the world.”
The winter ascent of the 8,611 meter summit on Pakistan's border with China represented the conquest of a peak so renowned for its dangers that it has been nicknamed Savage Mountain.
More than 80 climbers are believed to have died on the mountain and in August 2008 its upper reaches were the scene of one of the climbing's worst disasters of recent years.
A total of 11 climbers died when the edge of an ice shelf sheared off and swept away a network of ropes.
The addition of winter temperatures as low as -50C and hurricane-force winds means few attempts have ever been made at this time of year.
“Mother Nature always has bigger things to say and standing on the summit, witness to the sheer force of her extremities, we are proud to have been a part of history for humankind,” Mr Purja said.
Several expeditions comprising dozens of climbers arrived on the mountain in late December and have been acclimatising and laying climbing ropes since then.
The final assault was made by members of three different expeditions who decided on a joint final push.
The team set off at around 1am Saturday and assembled just below the summit so they could reach the top together and no individual would be listed as first.
UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
%3Cp%3ETotal%20trade%20in%20goods%20and%20services%20(exports%20plus%20imports)%20between%20the%20UK%20and%20the%20UAE%20in%202022%20was%20%C2%A321.6%20billion%20(Dh98%20billion).%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThis%20is%20an%20increase%20of%2063.0%20per%20cent%20or%20%C2%A38.3%20billion%20in%20current%20prices%20from%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20was%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%2019th%20largest%20trading%20partner%20in%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%20Q4%202022%20accounting%20for%201.3%20per%20cent%20of%20total%20UK%20trade.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on Quran memorisation:
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
