‘Bigger than World Cup’: Nepal climber on first K2 winter ascent

Reuters, Nepal :
A team of Nepali climbers that made the first winter summit of K2, the world’s second tallest peak, has returned to a heroes’ welcome from crowds of well-wishers.
The 10 men, who climbed the 8,611-metre (28,251-foot) K2 peak on January 16, attributed their success to team spirit and a resolve to raise their country’s pride.
The mountain, which straddles the Pakistan-China border, was first climbed in 1954 but had never been summitted in the winter.
“We succeeded in our effort because we worked as a team,” Nirmal Purja, the team’s leader, said at a public function to welcome them back.
“If we unite we conquer… if we are divided we fall,” he added.
He said the K2 ascent was a huge achievement for all climbers to celebrate. “It is bigger than winning the World Cup.”
The mountain, which straddles the Pakistan-China border, was first climbed in 1954 but had never been summitted in the winter.
“We succeeded in our effort because we worked as a team,” Nirmal Purja, the team’s leader, said at a public function to welcome them back.
“If we unite we conquer… if we are divided we fall,” he added.
He said the K2 ascent was a huge achievement for all climbers to celebrate. “It is bigger than winning the World Cup.”