K2’s back in the headlines as mountaineering safety and policy swirl in Central Asia; the world’s second-highest peak, tough, deadly, iconic. Mountain lore meets politics.
A busy Everest climbing season has seen hundreds reaching the summit from Nepal, with a surge in permits and concerns over crowding and safety. Notable young climber Bianca Adler has become the youngest Australian to summit, while Everest trends show overcrowding and environmental pressures. Five climbers have died this season.