Russian Team Aims To Climb K2 - In Winter
Reaching the summit of K2 in summer is one of the mountaineering's most deadly and difficult challenges. Now a team of Russians is attempting what no other has yet achieved - scaling the world's second-highest peak in winter. The 15 climbers will endure temperatures plunging more than 50 below zero and winds of up to 40 mph as they inch up the stuffing giant pyramid that straddles Pakistan and China. The assault is expected to take 21/2 months. "This is only possible for a Russian team," said Victor Kozlov, affable leader of the expedition, whose members established a new route on K2 in 2007. "God willing, we can make it," he said this week in Pakistani capital, ahead of his journey to the Karakoram range in the far north of the country. Winter ascents of the world's 14 highest mountains are some of the most prized achievements left in climbing. The "eight-thousanders," as they're known because they all top 8,000 meters (5 miles),...