K12 (mountain)

K12
K12 Saltoro Ridge, Siachen, Actual Ground Position Line K12 K12 (Ladakh) K12 K12 (Gilgit Baltistan)
45km 30miles Pakistan India China 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1    The major peaks in Karakoram are rank identified by height. Legend： 1：K2,  2：Gasherbrum I, K5,  3：Broad Peak,  4：Gasherbrum II, K4,  5：Gasherbrum III, K3a,  6：Gasherbrum IV, K3,  7：Distaghil Sar,  8：Kunyang Chhish,  9：Masherbrum, K1,  10：Batura Sar, Batura I,  11：Rakaposhi,  12：Batura II,  13：Kanjut Sar,  14：Saltoro Kangri, K10,  15：Batura III,  16： Saser Kangri I, K22,  17：Chogolisa,  18：Shispare,  19：Trivor Sar,  20：Skyang Kangri,  21：Mamostong Kangri, K35,  22：Saser Kangri II,  23：Saser Kangri III,  24：Pumari Chhish,  25：Passu Sar,  26：Yukshin Gardan Sar,  27：Teram Kangri I,  28：Malubiting,  29：K12,  30：Sia Kangri,  31：Momhil Sar,  32：Skil Brum,  33：Haramosh Peak,  34：Ghent Kangri,  35：Ultar Sar,  36：Rimo massif,  37：Sherpi Kangri,  38：Yazghil Dome South,  39：Baltoro Kangri,  40：Crown Peak,  41：Baintha Brakk,  42：Yutmaru Sar,  43：K6,  44：Muztagh Tower,  45：Diran,  46：Apsarasas Kangri I,  47：Rimo III,  48：Gasherbrum V
Highest point
Elevation	7,428 m (24,370 ft) Ranked 61st
Prominence	1,978 m (6,490 ft)
Listing	Ultra
Coordinates	35°17′42″N 77°01′18″E
Geography
Location	Saltoro Ridge, Siachen, Actual Ground Position Line
Parent range	Saltoro Mountains, Karakoram
Climbing
First ascent	1974 by Shinichi Takagi, Tsutomu Ito (Japanese)
Easiest route	snow/ice climb

K12 is the second highest peak in the Saltoro Mountains, a subrange of the Karakoram range in the Siachen region and is administered as a part of Ladakh territory. Its name comes from its designation given during the original survey of the Karakoram range. In 1984, an Indian army expedition under Colonel Prem Chand took hold of this peak, from the side of Siachen glacier by traversing from the west.

K12 lies to the southwest of the Siachen Glacier; the K12 glacier heads on its northeast slopes and feeds the Siachen. The western slopes of K12 drain to the Bilafond Glacier system, and thence to the Dansam River, and eventually the Indus River.

K12 was used for training for the Mount Everest expedition of the Indian Army in 1985. Apart from this, K12 has seen little climbing activity, partly because of the unsettled political situation and the continued military presence in the area linked to the Siachen conflict. It was first attempted in 1960, after a reconnaissance visit by famed explorer Eric Shipton in 1957. After a further unsuccessful attempt by a Japanese party in 1971, another Japanese expedition put two climbers, Shinichi Takagi and Tsutomu Ito, on the summit. They fell and died on the descent, and their bodies were not recovered. Another Japanese expedition returned in 1975 and made the second ascent.

See also

• List of Ultras of the Western Himalayas
• Siachen conflict
• Actual Ground Position Line
• Indira Col
• Sia La
• Ghent Kangri
• Saltoro Kangri
• Bilafond La
• Chumik Glacier
• Gyong La
• NJ9842

Sources

• Wala, Jerzy (1990). Orographical Sketch Map of the Karakoram (Map). Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research.
• Neate, Jill (1989). High Asia: an illustrated history of the 7,000 metre peaks. The Mountaineers.