The TRAGIC Story Behind The K2 Disaster 2008

Subscribe If You Dare @disasterstories

In 2008, the climbing world was rocked by one of the deadliest disasters in the history of mountaineering. On the towering peak of K2, 11 climbers lost their lives in an event that has become known as the "K2 Disaster." This tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the risks involved in attempting to climb this formidable summit. This is the story of the infamous K2 Disaster of 2008 - and how it changed the climbing world.

#mountainclimbing #k2 #disasterstories

Watch next:

Music by: CO.AG

If I saw someone falling past me and sliding off the mountain and disappearing into the abyss, I’d just turn back immediately. No life is worth losing getting on top of a mountain.

[doclewis]

The Koreans died. Ger stayed with them trying to free them but died as well. There's a part that makes it sound like those men survived their ordeal. Unfortunately, they did not.

[kar]

I highly recommend the book No Way Down, which goes to great lengths explaining this tragedy. The Sherpas are the real deal and put their lives on the line for not nearly enough money.

[Chris.Davies]

I have a dead friend on K2. He died on descent from the summit in 1996.
RIP Bruce,
Sadly, most men close to, and above 8, 000 metres are turned into idiotic fools by low oxygen and high testosterone: A fatal combination.

[mlopez]

When you have such a big group of people climbing at the same time all it takes is one person getting into trouble to disrupt the whole processes. Now, you as a member of the group have to decide if it's worth risking your life for someone who you barely know. I've seen that in this activity, you really have to be careful who you take with you. Even if you're good friends, it all comes down to the strength and experience of your partners. Many died here trying to save others.

[lornafarrelly]

Ger Mcdonald seems like an amazing person. I hope his family feel really proud of him.

[drasiella]

Dren Mandić is from my city and a memorial for him is a big piece of stone with tiny colorful climbing rocks that children love to climb.

[laurasalo]

If I'm not mistaken, that guy gave his life trying to save the 3 Koreans but was sadly not able to untangle them and they all died.

[mrkipling]

There's a brilliant documentary about this incident on YouTube. Its about an hour and a half long. Ger McDonnell had already saved someone's life on an Everest climb in 2003. The bloke on this K2 climb period who was absolutely amazing was the Basque climber. I can't remember his name. He was climbing solo and reached the summit, then descended, with absolutely no problems whatsoever!! Alberto Zarin, thats his name..

[mariannagreenlee]

I have read several accounts of this tragedy and none of them mention your account of Hugh. Most people criticize Hugh for leaving and not knowing where his Porter was. In fact one of Pemba’s photos shows the Porter on top of the serac. It is believed he caused one of the avalanches when he wandered too close to the edge of the serac. I enjoy your channel!

[gregb]

The Sherpa's comment at the end tells it all. He is right of course. When death comes, re-evaluation is essential; the wisdom of choices are always revealed after the fact. I climbed a 13'000 foot trail once and felt the elation of being so high surrounded by such beauty: the feeling amazingly indescribable - it is beyond euphoria - and I have never quite felt that before or after. So - I think this is the main issue - something causes a rush of every hormone in your body that floods your senses and your brain. My reaction was to praise God bc I am a believer; specifically a believer before I did that, and a growing believer ever since. So, it is this addiction to this unparalleled HIGH which I believe accounts for the selfishness and lack of humanity and basic wisdom in such times.

[katleigh]

I appreciate the dedication to pronouncing names❤

[sultanniazi]

K2 is savage. Seen it and been up to camp one. Not worth risking my life. Truly intimidating. Way more than Everest. So remote and isolated. Now it’s the new Everest and more and more will die. Pakistanis gotten greedy like Nepalese did before them and passing out permits like candy. More stories like this will unfold.
Italians cheated their own and others in 1953. Still continue to do so. Thx Marco.

[danielho]

This disaster is detailed in the movie "The Summit (2012)". After you watch it, you only have admiration for Ger and Pemba and absolute disgust for Marco and Mr. Kim, the leader of the S. Korean team, a cowardly man who sent 2 sherpas to almost certain death and took zero responsibility for his team's numerous failures.

[Laura-zyjp]

While K2 and Mount Everest are the major grand daddies of the highest mountains to climb in the world, Ultimately climbing any mountain is potentially dangerous and deadly even for the most experienced of climbers. So often these tragic events occur causing horrible death to these climbers usually thru error, unexpected and sudden change weather related or human error or bad judgment. Such a dangerous hobby for anybody to endeavour into. So many have lost their lives to mountaineering.

[mrkipling]

I recently saw a picture of Everest during the 2019 climbing window. There was a queue going up towards the summit of maybe 100-150 people, all in a line. It was ridiculous. There needs to be a limit on permits given out each year.

[deanneparis]

I am fascinated by climbing. I have no desire to climb, I just enjoy hearing about it from the comfort of my warm home. One thing that I have learned in my couch research, no experienced climber expects anyone to save them. I have heard interviews about summit fever keeping people from helping others, and I guess that’s true, but to expect someone else to risk their life because an inexperienced climber decided to take a chance? I guess the team leader that accepted his money should be the only one on the hook for it. I’m not saying that hero’s shouldn’t be celebrated, they definitely should! I just don’t think that the others should be vilified. I will never, at least on purpose, freeze my toes off climbing a mountain, but even I know that I would be on my own if I did.

[doclewis]

I don't understand why K2 doesn't have a 2pm summit time too like Everest. Reach it by 2pm or head back no matter what, especially since it's so much more technical than Everest.

[MrAlex_Raven]

Ger McDonnel. If I'm ever called to give my life for anyone, I hope that I will have the stones this man had to save those three.

[oldspiritart]

I’m going to stay in my chair of happiness, y’all have fun.