French mountaineer Benjamin Vedrines achieved the fastest-ever ascent of K2, but he doesn’t focus on the records he sets.
“It’s not the records themselves that interest me, it’s also the links that I create with certain mountains and especially in the case of K2,” the 32-year-old told AFP.
“It fascinated me from the first moment I saw it.”
Vedrines climbed the world’s second-highest mountain in 10 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds on Sunday, July 28th.
His ascent broke the previous record for climbing K2 without bottled oxygen by more than half.
It was a remarkable achievement considering his failed attempt two years earlier due to lack of oxygen at high altitudes.
For Vedrines, the preparation leading up to this record-breaking climb was just as important as the climb itself.
He emphasized the importance of taking time to build and prepare for such challenges.
– ‘Go slow to go fast’ –
Vedrines is known for his climbing speed and achievements, including setting a record on Pakistan’s Broad Peak.
He uses the “alpine style” of climbing and faced challenges on K2 without supplemental oxygen.
Despite facing obstacles such as poor weather and unforeseen events, Vedrines persevered with determination and humility.
He expressed gratitude for K2 accepting him and described the mystical atmosphere of the mountain.
Overall, Vedrines’ record-breaking ascent of K2 was a personal achievement of reconciliation with the mountain.
str-jts/ecl/fox
