K2 2025 Coverage: Dozens K2 Summits in Rough Conditions – Update 1

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UPDATE: August 12, 2025: Nine more summits were reported late, bringing the total to at least 41. It appears, but not 100% confirmed, that all have descended safely.

August 11, 2025 – 32 K2 summits were reported, including by Imagine Nepal Team, Seven Summits Treks, elete Expeditions and Prakash Sherpa’s Climber Alpinist Expeditions (CAE). Safe descents have not been confirmed.

Imagine Nepal posted details:

We are excited to announce that at 15:32 PKT on August 11, 2025, a team of 15 climbers from Imagine Nepal successfully reached the summit of Mt. K2, achieving a 100% summit success rate this year. It is quite unusual for climbers to summit in August, as the optimal time is usually in July.
 
The 2025 K2 climbing season has been significantly impacted by jet stream, resulting in high winds and limited climbing opportunities. Despite favourable snow conditions, climbers faced prolonged waits at Base Camp, requiring teams to remain in a state of constant readiness. The Imagine Nepal K2 expedition, led by Mingma G himself, after leaving Base Camp on August 5, finally reached the summit. We congratulate everyone who attended the summit today and wish them a safe return to base camp. Below is the K2 summiters list from Imagine Nepal:
1. Mingma G ()
2. Jangbu Sherpa ()
3. Pema Chhiri Sherpa ()
4. Aangdu Sherpa ()
5. Kami Sherpa ()
6. Lakpa Sherpa ()
7. Lakpa Tamang ()
8. Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa ()
9. Sohail Sakhi ()
10. Mr Liu Mihe ()
11. Mr. Dilixiati Ailikuti ()
12. ⁠12. Li Jiang ()
13. Ms. Guan Jing ()
14. Ms. Hu Yinghong ()
15. Ms. Maria Alexandra Danila ()
 
➡️Mingma G (Nepal): Completed his sixth successful summit of Mount K2.
➡️Maria Alexandra Danila (Romania): Became the first Romanian [female] to reach the summit of the world’s second-highest peak.
➡️Mr. Dilixiati Ailikuti (China): Set the record as the youngest person to climb Mount K2. [ed note: age not announced or verified]
➡️Jangbu Sherpa and Sohail Sakhi: Successfully climbed Mount K2 without the use of oxygen tanks.
And Seven Summits Treks also noted summits:
We’re beyond happy to share some amazing news – our joint team from Seven Summit Treks and 14 Peaks Expedition made it to the top of K2 this morning, 11 August 2025! Huge congratulations to our incredible climbers:

1. Tao Hu – China
2. Eduard Kubatov – Kyrgyz Republic no O2
3. Gulnur Tumbat – Turkiye
4. Zhang Qingliang – China
5. Li Na – China
6. Pasang Tenje Sherpa – Nepal no O2
7. Mingma Jangbu Sherpa – Nepal
8. Pasang Sherpa – Nepal
9. Sona Sherpa – Nepal
10. Pasang Nurbu Sherpa – Nepal

 
➡️Gulnur Tumbat – (Turkiye): Became the first Turk [female] to reach the summit of the world’s second-highest peak.

We’re so grateful to Imagine Nepal and all the rope-fixing team for their hard work and support – without them, this wouldn’t have been possible. K2 is one of the most difficult and unforgiving mountains in the world, and this climb is a determination of everyone involved. Today, we’re proud to be part of K2’s history.

Also summiting were climbers from Elete Expeditions
This year’s K2 expedition tested every ounce of patience, resilience, and teamwork. Harsh weather challenged every climber, and many teams turned back. But in the mountains, it’s all about the waiting game — knowing when to hold back, and when to push for the summit.
Under the leadership of Mingma G, and in collaboration with the teams from Imagine Nepal, Prakash Sherpa’s team from Alpinist climber, SST, and Vinayak our lead IFMGA guide from Elite Exped, the climbers regrouped and committed to rope fixing above Camp 4. The snow conditions were heavy, but through incredible team effort, ropes were fixed and the path was opened — leading to a successful summit on 11 August at 15:32 PKT.
We congratulate every member of the team for their courage, determination, and unity on the world’s second-highest mountain.
We would especially like to recognize and congratulate our members and guides who were determined to summit — and did so:
Members summited:
1. Kirsty Joan Mack
2. Charles Page
3. ⁠Vinayak Jay Malla
4. ⁠Phuri Kitar Sherpa
5. ⁠Nima Sherpa
 

Summiting two hours later was the Aplinist Climber Expedition. They posted late on IG:

Successfully summited 11/08/2025. Local time 5:35pm . We are safely back to camp 3. Huge congratulations to all the team members:

  1. Prakash Sherpa Leader
  2. Kahshin Leow (first Singaporean without Oxygen)
  3. Lenka Polackova (first Slovakian without Oxygen)
  4. Jan Polacek
  5. Sonam Chhiring Sherpa 
  6. Sona Chhiri Sherpa
  7. Pasang Nuru Sherpa
  8. Lhakpa Wangchu Sherpa
  9. Chhiring Sherpa

As reported by Karrar Haidri, Siddhi Bahadur Tamang, and Chhiring Sherpa, they summited.

Congratulations to all, and a safe descent.
 
Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

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28 thoughts on “K2 2025 Coverage: Dozens K2 Summits in Rough Conditions – Update 1

  1. Thank you for the coverage Alan, great stuff as always. Poor young woman that lost her life though, it always seems such a waste-All adults that know the risks however. I prefer to watch from afar! Sarah, Manchester UK

  2. I enjoy your coverage regarding the summit bids, but as it’s the Sherpas who carry the loads, fix the ropes, and the climber having bottes of oxygen the best equipment, it takes away the majesty of the mountain, especially when you hear and see all the stuff left behind, is it time to say to climb the mountains the only true was is Alpine style, the climber takes everything they want up and down.

    1. Ok, then Sherpa families can starve to appease you. Nobody is summiting without a sherpa rope team. Even the first people to summit the mountain had help bringing equipment. This is K2 not Denali.

  3. Just heard the news about the death of a Chinese climber who got hit by rocks on the way down after summiting K2. She was listed in Imagine Nepal’s summit update. not sure exactly which location it was, but it’s sad to see the prediction I read on your last post: “There’s a 90% chance of tragedy when all teams come down,” came true.

  4. Dear Alan,
    great coverage of the 2025 K2 season!! Have you ever considered dedicating a blog post to the sherpas in general and their hard work? We are new fans and love your posts.
    Greatings from Germany <3

  5. After reading the post about risk management, and about the teams that called off their expedition and were heading home, along with those who persevered and were ultimately successful. Once everyone is down safely I will add, even though it goes without saying… I’ll add my 2 cents to the usual great coverage we’ve all come to expect from Alan A.
    I believe those teams that went home made absolutely the best choice for them. Look, everybody wants to get to the summit and it takes experience and leadership to make the call not this time.
    Also, those that stayed in order to give it their best shot I commend also. K2 was particularly savage this year. Now please get down safely .
    As always, thanks again for bringing high altitude mountaineering into my life. Maybe a few folks going for Everest and Manaslu this fall, post monsoon?? If so, I look forward to it.
    Climb On

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