The majestic granite peak (also called Mount Godwin-Austen) is under Pakistani control, but India disputes Pakistan’s ownership rights in Kashmir. Heated disagreements between the two countries continue over this area of unsurpassed splendor.

One thousand miles west of the Himalayas in Nepal, the Karakoram Range (where K2 is located) contains 60 peaks above 23,000 feet - all within a central area of 100 miles. The rough, uneven 58-mile Baltoro Glacier passes by some of the world's most beautiful spires and pinnacles. (Be patient with this spectacular slide-show link.) The expanse of K2 itself is staggering. It would take 80 Matterhorns - one of the most beautiful and famous mountains in the European Alps - to equal its mass.

Many large glaciers (follow the links to a few famous examples from Glacier Bay in Alaska) exist in the Karakoram Range. One of the most important - the Baltoro - creates a route to K2. Glaciers also provide suitable places for base camps where mountain expeditions maintain their climbing operations.

Concordia (where two large glaciers converge) is the lower-level base camp for K2. It is the place from which hikers see K2. For climbers, however, Concordia is merely a stopping point. Awaiting them on the mountain are huge risks and great danger.