As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.This image shows the northwest ridge of K2. To the right in the background is Broad Peak, another 8000-metre mountain in the Karakoram Range. A mountaineer could never have reached the position of the virtual camera. The 3D view offers entirely new views of the massif.Technical information regarding this image:Satellite: WorldView-2Operator/Reference: Digital Globe, Longmont, USA, European Space Imaging, MunichDate acquired: November 10th 2010; 06:02 UTCGeometric resolution of image data: 0.5 metreResolution of elevation model derived: 0.5 metres (horizontal), 2 metres (vertical)Data processing and visualisation: DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC)
Credit: DLR 2011 .
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A view of the 'Mountain of Mountains' from the northwest. The two mighty pillars of rock to the northwest and west (centre) literally bisect the mountain. The North Pillar has still not been climbed in its entirety. To the right, on the Southwest Pillar of K2, the famous Magic Line can be seen – a route conceived by Reinhold Messner but not conquered until later by subsequent expeditions. A large erosion gully, similar to a large ravine, runs between the northwest and west ridges. To the right in the foreground, the Savoia Glacier can be seen; in the centre is the Savoia Pass. In the background is the Godwin-Austen Glacier, which joins the Baltoro Glacier as it flows to the south towards Concordia (out of image). At the right edge of the image is Angelus Peak, a foothill of K2.As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.Technical information regarding this image:Satellite: WorldView-2Operator/Reference: Digital Globe, Longmont, USA, European Space Imaging, MunichDate acquired: November 10th 2010; 06:02 UTCGeometric resolution of image data: 0.5 metreResolution of elevation model derived: 0.5 metres (horizontal), 2 metres (vertical)Data processing and visualisation: DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC)
Credit: DLR 2011.
This image shows the ascent route to Camps I and II, with altitude and position data for each camp plus the dates on which the mountaineers first reached them.As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner after a cold night on the snow ridge.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
Credit: National Geographic/Ralf Dujmovits.
Ralf Dujmovits climbing the beautiful snow ridge between Camps I and II.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
Credit: National Geographic/Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner.
View of K2, also known locally as Chogori, meaning 'Great Mountain'. K2 rises along the prominent North Pillar to 8611 metres. To the left is the southeast ridge with what is referred to as The Shoulder; a climbing terrain traversed by glacial crevasses some 800 metres below the peak, viewed from an unusual angle from the north.Here the mountaineers are reaching the last high-altitude camp on the Normal Route above the Abruzzi Spur, before they strike out for the summit via the Bottleneck under a large sérac (a column of glacial ice). The sérac can just be seen in profile on the left ridge beneath the peak. In the background is the summit of Broad Peak (8047 metres).As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.Technical information regarding this image:Satellite: WorldView-2Operator/Reference: Digital Globe, Longmont, USA, European Space Imaging, MunichDate acquired: November 10th 2010; 06:02 UTCGeometric resolution of image data: 0.5 metreResolution of elevation model derived: 0.5 metres (horizontal), 2 metres (vertical)Data processing and visualisation: DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC)
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner and Ralf Dujmovits at one of the many belays on the way up to Camp II.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
Credit: National Geographic/Maxut Zhumayev.
Detailed view from the northwest towards the lower section of the North Pillar. Above is the summit structure of K2, below are unconquerable séracs (columns of glacial ice) and slopes covered in thick snow.As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.Technical information regarding this image:Satellite: WorldView-2Operator/Reference: Digital Globe, Longmont, USA, European Space Imaging, MunichDate acquired: November 10th 2010; 06:02 UTCGeometric resolution of image data: 0.5 metreResolution of elevation model derived: 0.5 metres (horizontal), 2 metres (vertical)Data processing and visualisation: DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC)
Ralf Dujmovits ascending between the rock shoulder and Camp II.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
North face of K2 View from China towards the North Pillar (centre), the intended route of ascent for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner and Ralf Dujmovits. The virtual camera appears to be sitting slightly above the north glacier on K2, showing the route up onto the North Pillar.As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.Technical information regarding this image:Satellite: WorldView-2Operator/Reference: Digital Globe, Longmont, USA, European Space Imaging, MunichDate acquired: November 10th 2010; 06:02 UTCGeometric resolution of image data: 0.5 metreResolution of elevation model derived: 0.5 metres (horizontal), 2 metres (vertical)Data processing and visualisation: DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC)
View downwards after the 150-metre long traverse into the northwest slope; Ralf is ascending using the fixed ropes.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
View from the northeast from the Chinese side of K2 towards the Savoia Pass, right on the border between Pakistan and China. The Savoia Glacier is visible in the background. To the left is the North Pillar, a route that has only been successfully conquered a few times.As part of the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011, German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team planned on climbing K2 at the end of June 2011, via the technically demanding north route, which has seldom been followed to date. DLR scientists supported the expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of the mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the intended route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.Technical information regarding this image:Satellite: WorldView-2Operator/Reference: Digital Globe, Longmont, USA, European Space Imaging, MunichDate acquired: November 10th 2010; 06:02 UTCGeometric resolution of image data: 0.5 metreResolution of elevation model derived: 0.5 metres (horizontal), 2 metres (vertical)Data processing and visualisation: DLR Earth Observation Center (EOC)
View down from the rocky step towards the snow ridge.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
Credit: National Geographic/Darek Zaluski.
Camp II with view towards the mountains of the northern Karakorm Range.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team, making her the first woman to climb all 8000-metre peaks without an oxygen bottle.
Austrian alpinist Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner cheers on reaching the summit of K2, the world's second-highest mountain. By reaching the top, she became the first woman in the world to summit all 14 of Earth's highest peaks without using supplementary oxygen.German mountaineer Ralf Dujmovits and his Austrian wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner plus a small international team wanted to climb K2 at the end of June 2011, taking the technically demanding north route, seldom followed to date. Dujmovits is already the only German to have stood on the summits of every 8000-metre mountain; for Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, this would be the last 8000-metre peak remaining unclimbed in her mountaineering career. DLR researchers supported the International K2 North Pillar Expedition 2011 expedition with a highly accurate 3D model of mountain. Thanks to the ability to explore the planned route virtually in advance, the mountaineers had a relatively clear idea of which route they would be taking. On 23 August 2011 Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner reached the summit of K2 together with three other climbers from the team.
Credit: Maxut Zhumayev/National Geographic.
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