French mountaineer Benjamin Vedrines meticulously tracked each second as he achieved the swiftest ascent ever recorded on K2, yet he remains indifferent to the accumulation of his numerous records. "It's not about the records; it's the connections I forge with certain mountains, particularly K2," the 32-year-old confided to AFP. "It captivated me the instant I laid eyes on it."
Vedrines conquered the world's second-highest peak—standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) along the border of Pakistan and China—in a staggering 10 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds on July 28th. This feat halved the previous record for an oxygen-free ascent of K2, set at 23 hours by French climber Benoit Chamoux in 1986. Exactly two years prior, Vedrines had to abandon his first attempt just 200 meters shy of the summit due to oxygen deprivation at high altitude. Despite the global acclaim for his speed record, Vedrines finds it remarkable for its protracted journey to success. "I aimed to be fully prepared, both physically and mentally," he explained. "I focus on doing things thoroughly, on constructing them. These are endeavors that require time."
Recognized as one of France's top climbers, Vedrines set a speed record on Pakistan's Broad Peak in 2022 before paragliding down. In the French Alps, he has shattered numerous records using the 'alpine style' of climbing, which emphasizes swift movement over minimal rope use. However, the absence of oxygen tanks on K2 presented a paradox: moving swiftly in a harsh environment with minimal exertion. "It necessitates moving slowly to move fast," he humorously notes. "It's a contradiction we must navigate."
Adverse weather thwarted his attempts to acclimatize, forcing him to confront numerous unforeseen challenges. "I had to be persistent, determined, patient, and above all, humble, as K2 demands much humility," he recounted. Despite Everest being slightly taller, K2, first climbed in 1954, is considered more challenging. Elite climbers often speak of a unique bond with the mountain, despite its deadly reputation, with historical fatality rates around one in four. Recent years have seen fewer deaths, but two Japanese climbers attempting an 'alpine style' ascent fell the day before Vedrines' successful climb.
Vedrines occasionally climbed solo and at record speed, describing a mystical atmosphere unique to K2. He departed from K2's Advanced Base Camp at 5,350 meters just after midnight and reached the summit before lunchtime the next day. Upon his return, he spoke to AFP a week later in Skardu, the gateway to northern Pakistan's five 8,000-meter peaks. "I feel profoundly grateful that K2 finally welcomed me this year," Vedrines expressed. "It wasn't about revenge but a form of reconciliation."
