South African team to summit the K2 Mountain

A team of South African mountaineers will tackle the world’s second-highest mountain in June this year.

The team of four climbers will be the first South Africans to attempt to reach the peak of one of the world’s most dangerous mountains.

At 8 611m above sea level, K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest, but only 377 climbers have ever stood on the top. By comparison, over 9 000 people have reached the summit of Everest.

“Everest might be the highest, but K2 is the most dangerous,” says high altitude climber and motivational speaker Robby Kojetin.

Kojetin will be joined by John Black, Warren Eva and Allan Dickinson on the expedition.

He has previously climbed Mount Everest, as well as five of the seven summits, nine summits of Kilimanjaro and expeditions to Peru, Alaska and East Africa.

“In four months, we will pitch our tents at K2 base camp and planning our ascent,” he says.

“Given our mountaineering experience, we are confident we can be the first South African team to conquer K2.”

Climbing with purpose

Kojetin is also using the climb to draw attention to mental health and wellness.

“People may think that mountaineers are mentally tough with no issues. That is not true. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and yet I have overcome this to reach some of the world’s highest peaks,” he adds.

Kojetin says he would like to see more support for mental health as part of the K2 expedition.

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