In the world of high altitude skiing there is none greater than Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel. Andrzej’s list of accomplishments is long with his most notable feat happening back in 2018 when he became the first person history to ski from the summit of K2 to base camp without removing skis.
In his latest adventure Andrzej traveled to the border of Pakistan and China to hike and ski Gasherbrum II, 13th highest mountain in the world (26,362 ft). Just summiting a peak that sits above the death zone is something to hang your hat on but to do so without using supplemental oxygen and then skiing down is truly remarkable. Cheers Andrzej!
Gasherbrum II is a giant mountain located in the Karakoram range, which is part of the Himalayas. It’s one of the tallest mountains in the world, reaching almost 8,000 meters (around 26,000 feet) high! Imagine stacking more than 2,500 school buses on top of each other—that’s how tall it is!
Gasherbrum II is covered in thick ice and snow all year round, making it really challenging and dangerous to climb. Only experienced climbers with special equipment and training dare to attempt it. People call it “G2” for short.
The mountain got its name from the local language, which means “beautiful mountain.” It’s also known as the “Shining Wall” because its icy slopes can reflect sunlight like a shiny mirror.
Gasherbrum II is part of a family of mountains, with Gasherbrum I, III, and IV as its siblings. Together, they form a breathtaking landscape.
Many adventurers dream of conquering G2, and some have succeeded, but it’s no easy task. Climbing it requires lots of courage, strength, and teamwork. So, it’s a real challenge, but Gasherbrum II is an amazing wonder of nature that leaves everyone in awe!