KATHMANDU (DPA) – Three Nepali women have successfully climbed K2, the world's second-highest mountain and considered to be the most difficult, expedition sponsors said Sunday.
The ascent came as Pakistan celebrated the 1954 feat of two Italian climbers who were the first to reach the 8,611-metre peak.
"A separate team of Nepali women, Maya Sherpa, Dawa Yanjung Sherpa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa climbed the mountain on Saturday," said Ang Tsering Sherpa, the president of Nepal Mountaineering Association.
It was the first time that Nepali women have climbed the mountain, considered among the most difficult of the world's peaks higher than 8,000 metres.
The women's expedition carries the slogan "Women climbing for climate change," to raise awareness about global warming.
The main climbing season on the world's highest mountain, Everest (8,848 metres) lasts from April to May and ends as the monsoon begins.
"The weather pattern in Pakistan's mountains is different from Nepal's. Summer is the most appropriate time to climb, as they don't have rain like we do in Nepal," said Ang Tsering Sherpa.
"Karakoram is in the rain-shed area, so the climbing season in Pakistan is later than that of Nepal, between July-August."
A joint team of six climbers from Pakistan and Italy also climbed K2 on Saturday to mark the diamond jubilee.
