ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A spokesperson for a Russian mountaineering team seeking to be the first to climb K2 in winter says it has abandoned the attempt after one of its members died.
The 15 climbers had been on the mountain, the world's second-highest, since late December and were hoping to make a summit push in mid-March.
Naiknam Karim said one of the climbers died Monday in base camp from breathing difficulties. He says the team was waiting for better weather before being flown from base camp by helicopter.
Winter ascents of the world's 14 highest mountains are some of the most prized achievements left in climbing.
(AP)
