This summer will be the first season on K2 where commercial climbing will be available by a partnership between Colorado-based climber Fabrizio Zangrilli and Field Touring Alpine. At 28,250 feet, K2 is the second highest peak in the world, and known as one of the most difficult and technical mountains to climb. Only 300 climbers have successfully summitted the mountain, compared to over 2600 successful ascents on Mt. Everest.
The news of commercial climbing on K2 comes as a surprise, especially after last years 11 deaths on the mountain. While the expeditions are by invitation only, it causes one to wonder if K2 will become the next host of the ‘climbing circus’ so often described of on Everest. However, Zangrilli is no stranger to climbing; he is a Marmot Pro Athlete, and has led over 20 successful commercial expeditions to 8000, 7000 and 6000 meter peaks in the Himalayas.
