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South-Southwest Pillar

6B | ED2 | VII Edit route
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.

Route Outline

Approach from the Pakistani side -> K2 Base Camp
Climb the south-southwest pillar and connected buttresses
Gain the upper mountain and summit ridge
Summit of K2
Descend the same route

More routes on K2

Abruzzi Spur

6B | ED2 | VII
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.
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North Ridge

6B | ED2 | VII
The North Ridge is a major documented route on K2 from the Chinese side. It is a very serious high-altitude climb with complex glacier travel, steep mixed sections, and severe weather exposure.
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Northwest Ridge

6B | ED2 | VII
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.
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