K2 2025: Coverage Begins & First Summits

K2 from Broad Peak

Climbing across the Karakorum is underway, with reportedly the first summits of this 2025 summer season on Nanga Parbat. A few teams arrived at several of Pakistan’s five 8000-meter mountains. Popular US climber Ryan Mitchell is on the trek to K2, hoping to add it to his 8000er collection, which includes Everest last year. Conditions on Broad Peak are dry on the lower mountain, which is very unusual. #k2025

K2 Podcast with Ryan Mitchell–Preparing for K2

Ryan Mitchell, a Summit Coach client, has gained considerable recognition thanks to his impressive video documentation of his 2024 summit of Mt. Everest with Madison Mountaineering. Exciting news! He’s all set to leave for K2 on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

In this podcast, we discuss his training, why he chose K2, and walk through the stages of his exciting climb, using pictures from my 2014 climb as well as his training adventures. Also, I’ve added at the end my video documentary of my 2014 summit climb. #k2025

Everest 2025: Season Summary

Everest Alpineglow

The 2025 Everest expedition has come to a close, marked by strong winds, drones, challenging climbing, and innovative strategies. Along the way were reports of frostbite and helicopter evacuations, but many of these incidents went unreported to avoid negative publicity.

Not all was bad, and one climber stood out: a German alpinist, Anja Blacha, made a near-solo ascent (she summited the same day as 30 other people), unsupported, setting a record. This is something we often overlook in our fast-paced social media world. The overall summit count for both sides of Everest in 2025 is estimated to be around 846, including support climbers such as Sherpas, Tibetans, and Guides. The Himalayan Database will publish what I consider to be the definitive results later this year. #everest2025