First South Africans summit Pakistan’s Mount K2

The first-ever South African climbers to summit K2 in Pakistan, the second-highest peak in the world after Everest, have planted their flag on 22 July.

Warren Eva and John Black – sponsored by The North Face – embarked on the most ambitious expedition South Africa has undertaken since our country’s flag was planted on Everest in 1996. The team initially consisted of four climbers, including Allan Dickinson and Robby Kojetin. Kojetin could not complete the climb due to altitude sickness, and Dickinson remained at base camp as part of the support crew.

K2 stands at a spectacular height of 8 611m above sea level. Solidifying their names in the history books, Warren and John pushed through temperatures of up to -60 degrees Celcius and winds packing gusts of over 100kms per hour to stand where only 377 people have stood before.

‘It’s a historic occasion and an unbelievable achievement but that achievement was not possible alone,’ Dickinson posted on Team K2SA’s Facebook page.

Warren raised money during the climb for Food4Hope, a charity organisation focusing on the most pressing and urgent children’s needs which include food, clothing, school fees and attending to their medical needs.

Pictures: K2SA

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