Broad Peak - Definition and Overview

Broad Peak (originally named K3) is the twelfth highest mountain on Earth. Broad Peak is part of the Gasherbrum massif and is about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from K2. Broad Peak was originally named K3 right after the naming of K2 but on closer inspection by a later party, it was discovered that the summit was over 1½ kilometres (1 mile) long, thus "Broad Peak". Broad Peak is known locally as Faichan Kangri. The literal translation of "Broad Peak" to Phalchan Kangri is not accepted among the Baltis.

The first ascent of Broad Peak was made on June 9, 1957 by Hermann Buhl, Marcus Schmuck, Fritz Wintersteller and Kurt Diemberger of an Austrian expedition led by Schmuck. A first attempt by the team was made on May 29 but they were forced back down due to a storm. The first ascent was also accomplished without the aid of supplemental oxygen. Hermann Buhl fell to his death when he and Diemberger attempted to climb nearby Chogolisa peak (7,654m) a few weeks later.

Time Line

• 1954 First attempt by Dr. Karl Herligkoffer of Germany on the SW side that failed due to a storm and extreme cold.
• 1957 First ascent

See also

• List of mountains in Pakistan
• List of mountains
• List of climbers
• mountaineering

External links

• Some History of Broad Peak on EverestNews.com (http://www.everestnews.com/stories024/bphistory.htm)
• Broad Peak on Peakware (http://www.peakware.com/encyclopedia/peaks/addapeak115.htm)