K2 Base Camp Trek Medal

K2 Base Camp Trek

K2 Base Camp within Pakistan, is at an altitude of 5,150 metres (16,896 feet).

The medal is die-cast and crafted from zinc alloy with antique nickel plating and has a rugged look with the mountain and words themselves in 3D. The reverse of the medal is flat and suitable for engraving.

‘The Karakoram’

Celebrating the Heritage of Pakistan

Our unique medal ribbon is 2.5cm wide by 45cm long (total ribbon size is 90cm) and the colour bands signify the flag of Pakistan.

The green color symbolises the Muslim majority of Pakistan, while the white stripe represents religious minorities. The crescent is a symbol of progress, and the star signifies light and knowledge, representing Islam’s role in the nation.

Celebrating the Heritage of K2

Brief History of K2
K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen or Chhogori, is the second-highest mountain in the world (8,611 meters / 28,251 feet) after Mount Everest. Located on the China-Pakistan border in the Karakoram Range, it is considered one of the most dangerous and challenging peaks to climb.

Early Exploration & Naming
● 1856: The mountain was discovered and measured by British surveyors during the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. It was labelled “K2” (Karakoram 2) as the second peak recorded in the region.
● Unlike other Karakoram peaks, K2 lacked a local name, so the surveyors’ designation stuck. The name “Mount Godwin-Austen” was proposed after a British geographer but is rarely used.

Early Attempts & First Ascent
● 1902: The first serious attempt was made by an international team led by Oscar Eckenstein, but they failed due to bad weather.
● 1938, 1939, 1953: American expeditions attempted the peak but were unsuccessful.
● 1954: An Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio succeeded. Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli reached the summit on July 31, 1954, via the Abruzzi Spur (Southeast Ridge).

Notable Ascents & Tragedies
● 1986: The first successful ascent without supplemental oxygen by Jerzy Kukuczka and Tadeusz Piotrowski (Polish climbers).
● 2008: The first winter ascent remained unachieved until Nirmal Purja, Mingma David Sherpa, and team succeeded in January 2021.
● High Fatality Rate: K2 has a death rate of around 25%, earning it the nickname “Savage Mountain.”

Notable disasters include:
● 1986: 13 deaths in a single season.
● 2008: 11 climbers died in the K2 Bottleneck disaster.
● 2021: A serac collapse killed several climbers.

Modern Climbing & Records
● K2 is considered more technically difficult than Everest, with steep slopes, avalanches, and unpredictable weather.
● First Woman: Wanda Rutkiewicz (1986) was the first woman to summit, but she later died on Kangchenjunga.
● First Pakistani: Nazir Sabir (1981).
● First Chinese Team: Reached the summit in 1977.

K2 remains a symbol of extreme mountaineering, attracting elite climbers willing to risk its deadly challenges.