Italians Romano Benet and Nives Meroi summited K2 in Pakistan last week via the Abruzzi Spur, making the first climb of the world’s second-highest peak since 2004. It was the husband-and-wife team’s third attempt on the 28,251-foot peak in 12 years, and they reached the top without supplementary oxygen. Earlier this year, the two climbed 26,795-foot Dhaulagiri.

In 2004, excellent weather and crowds of climbers drawn by the 50^th anniversary of K2’s first ascent resulted in more than 40 climbers reaching the top. Last year, however, no teams were successful on the peak. A major storm earlier this season destroyed camps midway up the mountain, but several teams have now repositioned themselves for possible summit bids this week.

Sources: www.planetmountain.com; www.k2climb.net; www.nives.alpinezem.net.
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