Hinkes Returning To K2

Alan Hinkes is on his way back to K2, the world's ahem, second, highest mountain and arguably it's most dangerous. He's not off to climb it however - he summited 'The Savage Mountain' nine years ago - but to take part in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the first ascent.

The Berghaus-sponsored Yorkshireman, who's just one summit away from climbing all 14 of the 8,000-metre peaks, was invited to return to Pakistan by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) as just one of a number of successful summiteers dating back to 1954.

He'll be showing his films "Climbing K2" and "Back to K2" whilst in Islamabad before returning to the UK on the 13th July.

"I am really looking forward to returning to Pakistan," says Alan. "I haven't been back since my summit of Nanga Parbat in 1998 due to my Challenge 8000 commitments. It will be great to meet with old friends and experience the celebrations with those who have shared my achievement, while remembering those who have been killed."

Alan succeeded in climbing K2 solo in July 1995 during a season which was marked out by tragedy. Most notably, top British climber Alison Hargreaves, who was originally climbing with Hinkes, chose to delay her summit attempt and died during the descent from the summit. That season only five climbers summitedand returned safely, while eight died high on the mountain when a huge storm swept in.

It's the combination of altitude, appalling weather and hard technical climbing and route-finding high on the mountain that make K2 such a dangerous peak.