2024 Cook Islands K2 Peaks 0.5g Gold Proof Coin

K2, the monumental 3^rd mountain of the «Peaks» series, proudly stands within the Karakorum Range as Earth’s 2^nd highest peak, yielding only to the mighty Mt. Everest.

The mountain’s formidable presence was first unveiled to the world in 1856 by Colonel T.G. Montgomerie of the Survey of India. It owes its numerical name K2 to Montgomerie’s erroneous assumption that the peak was «only» the second highest within the Karakoram range. In the annals of mountaineering history, the first bold attempt to climb K2 took place in 1902. To their misfortune, without success. However, in 1954, an Italian expedition, defying ferocious weather, saw the triumph of Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli, as they reached the summit via the Abruzzi Ridge on July 31st.

Yet, K2 remains an enigma, shrouded in perilous storms that thwart many from reaching the top. Only the toughest alpinists dare to climb one of the world’s most challenging mountains.