Home / Routes

Climbing Routes & Lines

Historical ascent lines, technical grades, objective hazard dossiers, and elevation profiles for normal routes and direct faces.

Standard / Normal RouteAlpine VI, UIAA IV+ rock, 80° water ice

Abruzzi Spur (Southeast Ridge)

The most celebrated and attempted route on K2, tracing the Southeast Ridge from Base Camp at 5,000m to the summit pyramid. It demands mastery of sustained mixed climbing through House's Chimney (6,600m), the sheer granite slabs of the Black Pyramid (7,200m), and the treacherous traverse beneath the colossal hanging serac of the Bottleneck (8,200m).

Difficulty: Extremely Demanding / Grade VI, TD+

Prime Window: Mid-June to Early August

Known Hazards: 4 major objective risks noted

View Detailed Topography

Standard / Normal RouteUIAA V+ on Kinshofer Wall, 65° blue ice

Kinshofer Route (Diamir Face)

The standard line of ascent up Nanga Parbat's western flank. The technical crux occurs early between Camp I and Camp II on the steep, ice-glazed Kinshofer Wall (6,000m), followed by long traverses across the upper glacier basins to the summit shoulder.

Difficulty: Severe / Grade V+, TD

Prime Window: Mid-June to July

Known Hazards: 3 major objective risks noted

View Detailed Topography