Which mountain is famously known as the “Savage Mountain”?

K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, is famously known as the “Savage Mountain”, a title that reflects its extreme difficulty, harsh weather, and high fatality rate. Located on the border between Pakistan and China in the Karakoram Range, K2 rises to an extraordinary height of 8,611 meters (28,251 feet). Despite being slightly shorter than Mount Everest, K2 is considered far more dangerous to climb, and this reputation is the reason behind its dramatic nickname.

K2 earned the title “Savage Mountain” because of its unpredictable storms, steep slopes, technical climbing challenges, and extremely cold temperatures. The weather can change within minutes, trapping climbers on narrow ridges or forcing them to retreat. Historically, K2 has one of the highest death rates among the world’s major peaks, and even highly experienced mountaineers regard it as one of the ultimate tests of skill, endurance, and courage.

The mountain was first surveyed during the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India and was simply labeled “K2,” meaning the second peak of the Karakoram. Unlike many other great mountains, it has no local name, which makes its code-based identification even more iconic.

Although it was first summited in 1954 by Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni, K2 still remains one of the least climbed of the fourteen 8,000-meter peaks. Its treacherous routes, especially the Abruzzi Spur and the Cesen Route, demand exceptional technical skill.