Kyrgyzstan’s Eduard Kubatov Conquers K2 Without Supplemental Oxygen

Eduard Kubatov, the head of Kyrgyzstan’s Mountaineering Federation, has reached the summit of K2 in Pakistan (8,611 meters), the world’s second-highest peak after Mount Everest. He accomplished the climb without supplemental oxygen, according to the Russian mountaineering club, 7 Summits Club, which congratulated him on achieving “the summit of his dreams.” The joint team from Seven Summit Treks and 14 Peaks Expedition made it to the top of K2 on August 11. Kubatov, alongside three Chinese, a Turkish mountaineer, and five Nepalese Sherpas, was climbing with a Nepal-based operation. K2 is widely regarded as the most technically challenging mountain to climb. Its steep slopes, frequent avalanches, and unpredictable weather make it more dangerous than Everest. “This year, K2 was rather unkind to climbers. The sieges lasted longer than usual, and it was quite possible there would be no ascents at all. Most expeditions had ended without a serious summit attempt. The strongest and most persistent remained, and fortune smiled upon them. Congratulations to our friend Eduard Kubatov on his ascent of K2, the summit of his dreams! An outstanding athlete, no less an outstanding businessman, organizer, and leader, Kubatov has headed the Mountaineering Federation of Kyrgyzstan and achieved impressive results,” 7 Summits Club said. Kubatov is no stranger to high-altitude success. In May 2024, he summited both Lhotse and Makalu, each over 8,000 meters, without supplemental oxygen. He also became the second Kyrgyz climber to reach Everest’s summit in May 2021, following Dmitry Grekov, who first achieved the feat in 1997.