Adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow conquers treacherous K2
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Moutaineer Khoo Swee Chiow summited the 8,611-m high K2 last Tuesday (July 31), considered to be one of the most difficult mountains to climb. He is the first Singaporean and South-East Asian to do so. -- PHOTO: KHOO SWEE CHIOW
He has climbed Everest three times since 1998 and stood atop the highest mountains on seven continents.
But for mountaineer Khoo Swee Chiow, the ultimate challenge was scaling K2, regarded by many as the world's most dangerous peak. Last week, he completed what he described as the "hardest climb of my life", becoming the first Singaporean and South-east Asian to do so.
Although the 8,611m peak is 237m lower than Everest, the mixed ground of rock, ice and snow, combined with the steeper incline and fickle weather, render it more daunting.
The 48-year-old father of two began the journey in late June, flying into Islamabad and driving to the village of Askole before reaching the base camp on July 6.
