Video: The Invisible Footmen of K2

A lot has been said about the dangerous work that the Sherpas on Mt. Everest endure. These men and women risk their lives just to help their clients reach the summit of the tallest mountain on the planet. But what about the porters and guides that operate on K2? That mountain is a mere 234 meters (767 feet) lower than Everest, and yet it is far more difficult and demanding to climb.

That means that the support teams on the “Savage Mountain” face even more risks than those who operate on Everest. In this video, we are introduced to the “invisible footmen” of the mountain. The men who seldom get much credit, with without them few expeditions would succeed. And now, as K2 becomes more commercial, the dangers they face only continue to rise.

Kraig Becker