Seattle, 1997. 144 pp, 162 color photos. A photo history of the many epics that have occurred on K2's flanks, from the early explorers to the high standard alpinists of today. This book "Offers readers the opportunity of reliving the magnificent exploits which took man to the top of the world's second highest mountain: from the legendary [1909] expedition led by Luigi Amadeo of Savoy, the Duke of the Abruzzi, which reached an altitude of 6000 metres, to the heroic, memorable conquest of the summit by Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedlli, members of the expedition led by Ardito Desio [1954], up to the latest ascents completed in the 1990s." Large-format hardcover, DJ, New.
Kurt Diemberger (born 1932 in Austria), is the only remaining person alive that has made the first ascents on two mountains over 8,000 metres. In 1957, he made the first ascent of Broad Peak and in 1960, the first ascent of Dhaulagiri. Diemberger was also the last person to see Hermann Buhl alive before he fell through a cornice on Chogolisa. Diemberger was one of only two survivors in the 1986 K2 Disaster. On August 4, 1986, Diemberger and Julie Tullis reached the summit of K2 very late in the day. Shortly after starting their descent, Julie fell -- dragging Diemberger with her. Fortunately, they somehow stopped from going over the edge and spent the night above 8,000 metres. They managed to reach Camp IV the next day, where they were forced to share a tent with six other climbers after their tent had collapsed from hurricane force winds. Unfortunately, Julie died later that night, possibly from HACE, and only one other of climbers survived the descent with Diemberger. Diemberger is still active in the mountaineering world and works on film projects with his daughter.
