THE 40th ANNIVERSARY AND CELEBRATION OF THE 1978 AMERICAN K2 EXPEDITION—the first Americans to summit the Mountain of Mountains. . At 8,611 meters, K2 is the second highest peak in the world. Remote and steep, it does not see many ascents. Mountaineer George Bell said it is was “savage mountain that tries to kill you.” Later, Messner called it the “Mountain of Mountains." Regardless of your perspective on its difficulty, it is one of the most striking peaks on earth. . Team leader Jim Whittaker, along with summit team members Louis Reichardt, Rick Ridgeway, John Roskelley, and Jim Wickwire were the first Americans to stand atop the peak in 1978. Tonight we celebrate the anniversary of their astounding accomplishment, and those they have since inspired. . #mountaineering #climbing #celebratewild #mountains