Breaking: Last-Minute Summit Push on K2 Underway
Table of contents
The Push Begins
Latest Update: Historic K2 Summit Achieved – Patience Pays Off
In a dramatic and historic push, multiple international climbing teams successfully summited K2 today after a 20-hour non-stop climb from Camp 3. This achievement marks the first K2 summits in August since 2011, defying the odds on one of the world’s most unforgiving peaks. For days, climbers endured stormy weather, thin air, and uncertainty at high camp. When the forecast finally opened a small window, they seized the opportunity.
The summit effort was spearheaded by Mingma G and his team from Imagine Nepal, with Prakash Sherpa leading the Climber Alpinist Expeditions (CAE) group, and Sona Sherpa heading the Seven Summit Treks contingent. The teams collaborated on the ascent, breaking trail and fixing ropes in challenging sections.
In a remarkable moment of modern mountaineering, Sona Sherpa made a live video call to Seven Summit Treks director Chhang Dawa Sherpa from the steep final ramps just below the summit – a rare glimpse into life and triumph at nearly 8,611 m.
Among the successful climbers:
Charles Page of Canada, climbing with Elite Exped
Lenka Polackova, who made her push without supplemental oxygen – details of her final climb are still emerging.
August climbs on K2 are extraordinarily rare due to volatile late-season weather, shorter daylight hours, and more unpredictable snow conditions. This successful push shows the power of teamwork, patience, and precise timing.
With this achievement, these climbers have written a bold new chapter in the history of the Savage Mountain – and proved once again that K2 rewards only the most determined.
The Push Begins
A final, desperate summit push is now underway on K2 as climbers scramble to take advantage of a narrow weather window – likely the last of the season. After weeks of brutal conditions, avalanche risk, and failed attempts, a handful of determined teams are moving up the mountain, hoping to reach Camp 3 and position themselves for a summit attempt in the coming days.
As of now, multiple climbers are advancing toward the higher camps, aware that if this window closes, their 2025 K2 dream might end at base camp.
The Season So Far: Delays, Disappointments, and Retreats
It’s been a punishing summer in the Karakoram.
- Repeated storms and dangerous snowpack have forced most teams off neighboring peaks like Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II.
- Many climbers on K2 had already packed up and gone home.
- Only a few have stayed behind, holding out hope for a final break in the weather.
Their patience may finally be paying off.
Snapshot Summary
- What’s happening? A final summit push has begun on K2.
- Why now? A short weather window has opened – likely the last one before the monsoon fully closes the season.
- What’s at stake? After a season of non-stop delays, this may be the climbers’ only remaining chance to reach the summit.
- What’s the risk? The route is still dangerous, conditions unstable, and visibility may worsen again.
- Who’s climbing? A small number of climbers who remained at base camp, prepared and acclimatized, are attempting the push.
What Comes Next
If weather holds, climbers could reach Camp 3 soon and begin preparing for a summit attempt from there. However, high-altitude winds, fresh snow, and narrow margins make every step upward a gamble.
The next 48-72 hours will decide whether K2 sees any more summits this year – or if the season ends with one final heartbreak.
About the Author
Anano Atabegashvili is a journalist with over 5 years of experience in broadcasting and digital media. Passionate about writing and mountains, she brings a unique voice to high-altitude storytelling. As the author of the Summiters Club blog, Anano offers sharp, engaging coverage of climbs, challenges, and the evolving world of alpinism.
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