The government today feted ten Nepali mountaineers, who assaulted a feat that mountaineers had felt to be impossible – the winter ascent of K2 – the world’s second highest peak and the most difficult and dangerous eight thousander.
Earlier in the morning they received a grand welcome in Kathmandu. From the airport, the team were taken around the Kathmandu city from Tinkune to Naya Baneshwor, Maitighar, Bhadrakali, Sundhara and Kantipath. They were accompanied by a motorcycle rally.
They were felicitated at a function at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) at Bhrikutimandap. The welcome ceremony and felicitation programme was organised with the participation of the Department of Tourism, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association and other tourism organisations.
Situated in the northernmost latitude in the Karakoram range, the 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) K2 – known as Chhogori – is the world's second-tallest peak straddles Pakistan and China. The Nepali team climbed the peak on January 16. When the final ascent began in the wee hours of January 16 temperature plummeted to minus-50 Celsius and climbers recounted feeling frozen as they pushed for the summit, according to one of the mountaineers Normal Purja. “Several of the climbers’ fingers were frostbitten.”
Earlier, the climbing team had to remain inside their tents for seven days because of high winds and clouds besides low temperatures. They also faced a multi-day storm, which affected their plans. At Camp 2 situated at 6,760m (22,178 ft), the team was battered by heavy winds. However, overcoming the Nepali team overcome all those difficulties and made history.
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