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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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10 Climbers Dead, 3 Missing After K2 Avalanche

Avalanche strands climbers of world's second-highest mountain

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(Newser) – At least 10 climbers were killed and three were missing after an avalanche on the world’s second-highest mountain in the Himalayas this weekend, Reuters reports. Teams of climbers reached K2’s peak, but at least two died on the way. An avalanche later killed five more and knocked out the ropes meant to guide their return, stranding another dozen in freezing conditions with little oxygen.

A Pakistan Army helicopter has set out to rescue four Dutch and two Italians from the 28,251-foot mountain. The dead and missing include climbers from Korea, Nepal, Serbia,  Pakistan, Norway, France and Ireland. A climber had little hope for those missing in the upper oxygen-thin “Death Zone" after an ice wall fell. “On K2, when they're missing they're dead,” he said.

The view from a camp at nearly 20,000 feet on K2.
The view from a camp at nearly 20,000 feet on K2.   (AP Photo/John Heilprin)
A climber approaches a camp at nearly 20,000 feet on the North Ridge of K2, the world's second-highest peak, in this 2000 photo.
A climber approaches a camp at nearly 20,000 feet on the North Ridge of K2, the world's second-highest peak, in this 2000 photo.   (AP Photo/John Heilprin)
A climber on the North Ridge of K2 during the summer of 2000.
A climber on the North Ridge of K2 during the summer of 2000.   (AP Photo/John Heilprin)
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