UKC

So which would you prefer to climb, the highest mountain in the world or the hardest?

And which would give you the most Kudos, the acceptance of the climbing world or the admiration of the general public?

For me, I think I'd prefer the acknowledgement of the climbing world with an assent of K2.

I remember that Everest wasn't enough for Alison Hargrieves, she needed the climbing world to accept her achievements. Unfortunately it killed her.

In reply to Removed User:

I don't do any climbs, or anything for that matter, for acceptance of the climbing world or admiration from the general public.

I'd like to do both. But out of all the routes on both, the one that catches my eye the most is fantasy ridge.

In reply to fishy1:

Me neither, thats why its K2 as a "fantasy climb".

In reply to Removed User:

I should perhaps qualify that last statement. I would gain far more internal satisfaction from an assent of K2 than one of Everest.

In reply to Removed User:

sort of interesting. everest is obviously the highest, but hardest is somewhat more open to interpretation. annapurna has a solid death and non-summiting rate as well, along with a dozen other peaks.

me, ive never found everest all that enticing. also, ive found pakistan and the karakorum is more interesting than the nepal/tibet himalaya. having been to bcs on both, the k2 camp (pakistan side) has a whole other feel due much to the abscence of the circus that comes with everest.

dont really find the admiration of the climbing world all that big a deal either. more chance of achieving acclaim speed climbing in yosemite or bashing away at a 5.14 in the frankenjura.

what i do find stimulating tho is the process of preparation for k2.nanga parbat, the Gs, masherbrums etc. k2 (and k2-style) to me appears a more interesting overall thing - climbing, location, topography, logistics, endurance etc.
not saying i will ever do it mind you.

In reply to ice.solo:

I guess its about different motivations and different ideals. I've never been to the Himalayas but I doubt that the Everest circus would make me feel good even if I did go.

I agree, the Pakistan experience might be more of a satisfying undertaking simply because it is less of a "tourist" route.

I realise that there are harder routes than the most straightforward one up K2 but K2 by its "easiest "route is still the greater challenge.

In reply to Removed User:

How do you intend to attempt either without putting yourself in the paws of some commercial crew? If you are looking for satisfaction I can't see the point of either climb unless you do it in an autonomous fashion, with friends and off your own back. Especially if you are looking for acclaim.

Why not aim at things you could do yourself to begin with?

In reply to Removed User:

Is K2 really the hardest mountain to climb? I would think the the much higher death rates and lower success rates would have Annapurna and Kangchenjunga contesting that with Nanga Parbat missing out because in the last 20 years its death rate has plummeted (possibly due to only the very best mountaineers attempting it). Although historically Kang wasn't as deadly as K2 over the last 20 years it has a higher death rate also its had less ascents than K2. Annapurna 1 has the least ascents of any 8000er and the highest death rate by a huge amount.

Even so I would think if you managed to climb the unclimbed Fantasy Ridge on the east face of Everest it would be quite an achievment, also climbing the Hornbien Couloir could arguably be a harder route than any on K2 (but thats open to debate).

Im just realising I'm coming accross as a K2 hater, but I realise it is a hard mountain just not the hardest!

In reply to Removed User:

K2 isn't necessarily the hardest. Routes count, mountains don't necessarily. The Fantasy Ridge of Everest could be considered harder than K2, as could the north face direct, but it depends on the route! Some people who have climbed K2 have failed on the north face of the Eiger. Some people have failed on Fitzroy who have climbed K2 and vice versa.

Given a choice - I'd like to just buy the book