Why have so many people been able to Summit K2 in the last year, when it has historically been one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb?

Question

Just looking at the stats I think 190 people summited k2 last year, which is someting like 20% of all summits.

Just wandering if there have been an advances in technology or new routes chosen etc.

Many thanks

In: 12

Answer 1

Just watched a video about this the other day. Essentially it’s getting turned into a tourist destination like Everest as the locals realize there’s a lot of money to be made helping people get to the top.

Video here: https://youtu.be/oTR5vXDW99M

Answer 2

For all of the hardest peaks, all the hard work has been done already.
there are now way-stations everywhere at short intervals so tourists can rest and resupply more often. The hardest parts have rope already nailed or other kinds of help. Everything has been streamlined so that these peaks can be a tourist attraction.

It’s gotten to the point that more people die of oxygen deprivation waiting to take a selfie on top of mount Everest than actually trying to climb the hard parts.