Godwin Austen: Scale it

Godwin Austen Peak is also known as K2. Godwin Austen is called ‘Chogo Ri’ by the local inhabitants. It literally means ‘the Great Mountain’. Godwin Austen stands at an impressive height of 8611 meters. It is the world’s second highest mountain peak. Godwin Austen is situated on the China—Pakistan border. Godwin Austen adorns the powerful Karakoram Range.

The routes that lead to Godwin Austen are not simple, making it one of the most challenging peaks to climb. The sheer size of the mountain is likely to give you goose bumps. Many attempts have been made, especially by Americans, to scale this peak. Most of these attempts have been unsuccessful.

Godwin Austen is a rocky terrain stretching up to 6000 meters. Beyond it lies an ocean of snow. Skardu leads to the base camp of Godwin Austen. It provides a link to Islamabad. The route then passes through Shigar—Dassu—Askole to reach Concordia.

K2 was discovered in the year 1856, when the Survey of India measured its height. It was immediately named after British topographer Henry Godwin Austen. He carried out extensive exploration and surveys of the peak.

K2 gets its name from the word Karakoram. The number is an indication that it was the region’s second peak to be measured. Godwin Austen was first scaled on July 31, 1954 by Italian mountaineers: Ardito Desio, Lino Lacedelli, and Achille Compagnoni. A measurement that was taken in March 1987 suggested that Godwin Austen may be taller than Mount Everest. However, Mount Everest was measured with the same technique and was found to be 778 feet taller in height.

Karakorum (also spelt Karakoram) extends for 480 kilometers between the rivers of Indus and Yarkant, which are situated in North Kashmir. The mountain range encapsulates territory that is disputed. China lies to its north; India lies to its east; and Pakistan to the west. Godwin Austen is central to the Karakorum range.

Karakorum is also home to some of the largest glaciers in the world. The southern slopes of the glaciers contain many tributaries of the river Indus. The mountains serve as the largest barrier between Central Asia and India. Two, natural routes take you to the Karakorum range: Karakorum Pass and Khunjerab. Karakorum pass lies at an astonishing height of 5575 meters. It serves as the principal pass on the Kashmir—China route. The latter pass is situated on the Pakistan—China route.

Besides being a topographer, Godwin Austen was also a geologist. He served as an officer in the army. Several government surveys were allocated to him. The peak is named after him.