North Ridge

The Abruzzi Spur is the standard and by far the most frequently climbed route on K2. It is a long, serious high-altitude alpine route with major objective hazards, especially avalanche-prone slopes, rockfall, and the exposed Bottleneck beneath seracs near the upper mountain.

The Northwest Ridge is a documented but rarely climbed line on K2. It is an extremely committing alpine route with difficult mixed climbing, remote access, and the same severe altitude and weather risks that characterize the mountain.

The South-Southwest Pillar is a named technical line on K2, known from expedition reports and climbing literature. It is a steep, highly committing route with difficult mixed and rock climbing, objective hazards, and very limited traffic.